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Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s statement on treaty commissioner appointment

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, has released the following statement on a newly appointed commissioner to the BC Treaty Commission:

    “I wish to congratulate George Abbott on being appointed by the Government of British Columbia to a two-year term at the BC Treaty Commission as the commissioner.

    “In recent years, First Nations, Canada and B.C. have been focused on creating innovative agreements that are strong but flexible, and better suited to addressing the needs of individual Nations.

    “Abbott is a seasoned diplomat who has significant experience of working with First Nations, local governments, labour and business, and has a track record of engaging shoulder to shoulder with First Nations on agreements that advance reconciliation and self-determination to build a stronger province.

    “First elected in 1996, Abbott served with distinction as a member of the legislative assembly for 17 years, including 12 years as a cabinet minister. Over his many years of public service, Abbott led portfolios in Indigenous relations, sustainable resource management, health and education.

    “Throughout his time in elected office, Abbott had many notable achievements, including introducing the historic Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act in 2010 and working with First Nations leaders to officially name the large area of coastal waters off the southern coast as the Salish Sea. During his role as minister of Aboriginal relations and reconciliation (now the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation), Abbott regularly engaged in the work of the Treaty Commission as the Province’s principal in the tripartite treaty negotiations process.

    “He served as chair for the Institute for Health System Transformation and Sustainability until December 2024. He is the current board chair at Technical Safety BC. He completed his doctorate in political science at the University of Victoria in April 2019.

    “I’d also like to acknowledge and thank Angela Wesley, who is serving her third term as the provincially appointed commissioner, for her important contributions to advancing reconciliation through treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements.

    “Since her initial appointment in December 2018, she has brought her wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of commissioner. Thanks to her years of service to the Treaty Commission, she has helped shape many significant moments in treaty negotiations in B.C., including the initialling of three treaties last summer with K’ómoks, Kitselas and Kitsumkalum First Nations.

    “The success of the treaty negotiations process is possible because of the hard work and dedication of individuals like Angela Wesley, George Abbott and all the other treaty commissioners.

    “I look forward to continuing the work of my predecessors, by working in partnership with the Treaty Commission and alongside my colleagues in the federal government and the First Nations Summit, to support progress in negotiations of modern treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Union, Missouri Woman Accused of Embezzling from Her Employer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A woman from Washington, Missouri has been indicted and accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from her former employer.

    Victoria Isgriggs, formerly known as Victoria Denise Missey, was indicted on February 13 with two counts of bank fraud and four counts of wire fraud. She was arrested Wednesday and is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in St. Louis the same day to plead not guilty.

    The indictment says Isgriggs, 44, worked at a Franklin County nursery and florist as an office manager and accountant from approximately Nov. 26, 2023, through April 29, 2024.  The indictment accuses Isgriggs of using a company bank account and company credit cards to pay personal expenses, including credit card debt, cell phone expenses, utility bills, and rent. The indictment also accuses Isgriggs of using company credit cards to make personal purchases that included luxury items and airfare.  

    The indictment seeks the forfeiture of jewelry, Christian Louboutin footwear and Louis Vuitton bags and accessories.

    Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The U.S. Secret Service and the Washington (Missouri) Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Roy prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Suspicious behaviour arrest

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police have arrested a man following suspicious behaviour in the eastern and western suburbs.

    Between 12 January 2024 and 18 February 2025, residents reported a man behaving suspiciously and looking through windows of homes in suburbs including Glenelg North, Norwood, Thebarton and Beulah Park.

    Following an investigation, on Wednesday 19 February, police arrested a 56-year-old man from Salisbury and charged him with six counts of being unlawfully on premises.  He was granted police bail to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on 22 May.

    Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour is urged to call the Police Assistance Line immediately on 131 444.

    MIL OSI News –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Buffalo Run Casino & Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Buffalo Casino & Resort has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an AI-based platform, to transform casino operations and enhance guest satisfaction. The QCI Chatalytics package—encompassing Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, the Dashboard, and the Robot Button—integrates OpenAI technology for real-time insights and efficient decision-making across the gaming floor.

    Designed to boost both player and slot management, QCI Chatalytics delivers an advanced combination of AI-driven features. Slot Copilot empowers operators with live slot machine performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and automatically assigned tasks. Player Copilot focuses on personalized engagement by analyzing guest data to guide service strategies and reward offerings. With the Dashboard, teams benefit from an easy-to-read, real-time overview of key performance metrics, enabling swift, data-informed insights. Additionally, the Robot Button automates routine tasks, freeing up staff to concentrate on more valuable responsibilities and boosting overall productivity.

    Mary Jewett, General Manager of Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, conveyed her enthusiasm: “Bringing QCI Chatalytics on board represents a vital step in leveraging AI to enhance our operations. With cutting-edge tools like the Robot Button, Slot Copilot, and Player Copilot, we can offer more tailored guest experiences while gaining a clearer understanding of our gaming operations.”

    Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, outlined his perspective on the new partnership: “We are thrilled to introduce QCI Chatalytics to Buffalo Casino & Resort. By weaving OpenAI’s capabilities into our solution, we deliver an unprecedented degree of automation and clarity. We believe Chatalytics will be a key factor in refining casino floor management and boosting guest satisfaction through instantaneous, data-driven decision-making.”

    The QCI Chatalytics suite is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s broader mission to spur innovation in the gaming sector, offering a robust set of tools that streamline operations and enhance the overall player experience.

    ABOUT Buffalo Run Casino & Resort
    Owned and operated by the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Buffalo Run Casino & Resort is future-focused on a gaming entertainment experience that both excites and exceeds guest expectations. Maintaining its reputation for a clean and friendly environment, it empowers team members and continues to elevate hospitality and guest experiences by investing in team member training and career development programs. Consequently, this strategic reinvestment into team members and property has resulted in earning the vote for one of the Best and Brightest Companies in the Nation to work for in 2022.

    Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has over 70,000 square feet of casino floor and features the area’s widest variety of slots and tables games. The resort also includes a non-smoking Hotel, Truckers Lounge with special amenities and offers, the Peoria Showplace in-door event center, the outdoor amphitheater, complimentary entertainment in the Backwoods Bar, an 18-hole championship golf course, two indoor Top Golf® bays, and a smoke-free high-end Player’s Lounge. Additionally, the Buffalo Run Casino & Resort offers three dining experiences including Coal Creek Restaurant with high-end cuisine, the Bistro with hand-tossed brick oven pizza, and the Backwoods Bar & Grill which claims the title for best in-house smoked barbecue in the area.

    Ongoing advancements to the property include the Peoria Showplace remodel, Hotel updates and restaurant remodel with more to come. New technology has been implemented to streamline offer redemption for guests that include self-serve kiosks for dining and promotions, digital core mail pieces, and a mobile app for monthly promotional information. Updates on the casino floor include in-game bonuses and upgraded slots. Innovation and strategic marketing decisions are powered by data driven technology (QCI), empowering the casino to customize the guest experience and increase loyalty in a highly competitive market.

    ABOUT QCI
    Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and The Bahamas. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $35 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI’s data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com.

    ABOUT Dr. Ralph Thomas
    Dr. Ralph Thomas is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quick Custom Intelligence. Ralph is a product visionary in applied analytics and the founder of two companies that deliver solutions in casino gaming, education, and adult learning. As a gaming industry veteran, Dr. Thomas has substantial experience implementing analytics into single and multi-property gaming companies to drive tangible and measurable gains to the bottom line and has built business intelligence tools for multibillion-dollar casinos. Dr. Thomas is co-author of seven books and over 80 articles on applied analytics and data science in gaming, an inventor on dozens of patents, and understands gaming from raw data up through casino operations, giving him a unique, 360-degree view of the industry.

    Contact:
    Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence
    Phone: 858-349-8354

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Marbanc International Expands Scope of Real Estate Focus to Australia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Photo Courtesy of Marbanc International

    NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marbanc International has broadened its distressed real estate acquisition strategy to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the Australian property and mortgage markets.

    A recent analysis by SQM Research revealed that the number of properties on the market for over 180 days has surged by 10.1% year-over-year, reaching 69,658 listings. Major urban centers – including Melbourne, Darwin, Canberra, and Hobart – experienced double-digit increases in long-term listings. Notably, Victoria saw a 28.4% spike in distressed sale listings, the highest among Australian states.

    Income Direct’s Strategic Expansion

    Marbanc’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary, Income Direct, has been actively sourcing and conducting due diligence on multiple real estate opportunities, including:

    • Distressed properties
    • Developable landholdings
    • Infrastructure sites

    Income Direct’s executive chairman, Gerard Sivaprasad, stated:

    “The post-COVID economic climate has created compelling buying opportunities. Our investment committee is currently evaluating several large acreage sites with strong medium-to-long term value potential.”

    Market Trends & Future Outlook

    Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research, noted that Victoria is the first Australian state where distressed property listings now exceed pre-pandemic levels.

    “We can no longer consider this a benign trend in Victoria. While listings remain below pre-COVID levels, the sharp increase suggests more Melbourne property owners may be facing financial distress,” he said.

    Despite Australia’s Reserve Bank being expected to announce a reduction in official interest rates following its upcoming meeting, Marbanc anticipates continued activity in the distressed property sector and is positioned to capitalize on evolving market conditions.

    Contact Information:

    Contact Person: Gerard Sivaprasad
    Company: Marbanc International
    Website: https://marbanc.com/
    Email: gerards@incomedirect.com.au

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b859aad-60a3-4104-ad3d-5283c2e6c84c

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Ne Zha 2: the record-breaking Chinese animated film showcases China’s ambition on the global stage

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ming Gao, Research Scholar of East Asia Studies in History Division, Lund University

    Ne Zha is a legendary child warrior from Chinese mythology, often depicted as a rebellious deity who defies fate to carve out his own destiny. Born as a demon, feared for his supernatural powers and doomed to live only three years, he struggles to overcome his destiny and forge his own path.

    A new Chinese film about the warrior has broken several box office records, including becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time (beating Pixar’s Inside Out 2).

    Ne Zha 2 is a Chinese animated fantasy adventure film. That it is breaking so many records might seem surprising. It’s a sequel to a film that didn’t do as well, it’s not American and it’s not in English. But its record-breaking run seems to show no signs of slowing down. After debuting during the Chinese Lunar New Year, its success has seen it premiere abroad in regions such as wider Asia, North America and Australia.

    For years, Hollywood has dominated China’s box offices, but the release of Ne Zha 2 marks a significant milestone in China’s cinematic and cultural expansion. Its unprecedented box office performance seems to signal a shifting dynamic in the global film industry.


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    It showcases China’s ambition and ability to produce world-class content that competes with western animation giants, like Disney and Pixar. It also plays a role in enhancing cultural confidence and soft power projection, which President Xi Jinping has emphasised for years.

    Capturing a feeling

    The story of Ne Zha, and its many adaptations, have long captivated Chinese people of all ages – including me. I fondly recall watching the 1979 version on a black-and-white TV with my family when I was little. The story originates from the Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644) novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods) and over the centuries, it has been reinterpreted in various cultural forms of religion and literature.

    The original plotline of Ne Zha revolves around his rebellion against feudal patriarchal authority. This struggle is set against a backdrop of familial conflicts and even attempted patricide. In contrast, today’s reinterpretation recasts this mythological unruly child as a dutiful deity who fights for his clan’s interests by forging alliances, confronting rival factions and challenging the existing order.

    Ne Zha 2 trailer.

    As a commercial film, it has astutely tapped into the emotional needs of contemporary Chinese audiences in a society facing various challenges, such as economic downturn and rising unemployment. Themes of familial love and supportive parenting have struck a deep chord with Chinese audiences, offering both cultural and sentimental reassurance in uncertain times.

    Another clear resonance with domestic audiences lies in the themes of Chinese technological success and cultural excellence. This has cultivated a strong sense of cultural identity and national pride among Chinese people.

    In China, no words currently seem to better capture the feelings after watching the movie than “pride” and a sense of patriotism – both for the film’s visually striking animation techniques and for its depiction of China’s rich cultural traditions. However, the film needs to be understood within the broader contexts of China’s domestic landscape and its evolving position on the global stage.

    ‘Cultural confidence’

    Beyond entertainment, Ne Zha 2’s success fits within President Xi Jinping’s ideas on “cultural confidence,” which can be succinctly defined as a nation’s firm belief in the strength and vitality of its own culture. Since the film’s record-breaking performance, state media and various state-owned outlets have been actively echoing this narrative.

    People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, equates Ne Zha to China’s cultural confidence as a means to expand soft power and navigate uncharted territory. This emphasis on cultural confidence, however, is not merely state-driven.

    Ne Zha.
    Enlight Pictures

    The film’s director, Jiao Zi, has expressed his confidence in China’s traditional culture, stating: “China’s stories don’t need to deliberately cater to the west.” Instead, he believes that traditional Chinese culture is a vast treasure trove of inspiration, which is interesting to all.

    Indeed, Ne Zha is not an isolated success in drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese culture. Last year’s Black Myth: Wukong, a record-breaking gaming blockbuster, gained global attention at the 2024 Game Awards (the Oscars of the video games industry). Like Ne Zha, it’s based on another legendary 16th-century Chinese novel Xiyouji (Journey to the West). China’s official news agency, Xinhua, characterised the enduring popularity of these ancient tales as “part of a broader cultural renaissance”.

    Ne Zha’s success is emerging as a key example of China’s growing cultural identity, aligning with the cultural confidence discourse. A foreign ministry spokesperson has described Ne Zha as “a new bridge for exchanges” and “a fresh window for the world to see China”.

    Whether Ne Zha 2 achieves lasting international success remains to be seen. But one thing is clear – Chinese animation is no longer just for domestic audiences. The film’s popularity reflects China’s broader ambitions to expand its soft power alongside its growing economic and strategic influence.

    Ming Gao receives funding from the Swedish Research Council. This research was produced with support from the Swedish Research Council grant “Moved Apart” (nr. 2022-01864). Ming Gao is a member of Lund University Profile Area: Human Rights.

    – ref. Ne Zha 2: the record-breaking Chinese animated film showcases China’s ambition on the global stage – https://theconversation.com/ne-zha-2-the-record-breaking-chinese-animated-film-showcases-chinas-ambition-on-the-global-stage-249899

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family

    February 19, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family

    iPhone 16e joins the iPhone 16 lineup, featuring the fast performance of the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, extraordinary battery life, and a 48MP 2-in-1 camera system — all at an incredible value

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced iPhone 16e, a new addition to the iPhone 16 lineup that offers powerful capabilities at a more affordable price. iPhone 16e delivers fast, smooth performance and breakthrough battery life, thanks to the industry-leading efficiency of the A18 chip and the new Apple C1, the first cellular modem designed by Apple. iPhone 16e is also built for Apple Intelligence, the intuitive personal intelligence system that delivers helpful and relevant intelligence while taking an extraordinary step forward for privacy in AI. The 48MP Fusion camera takes gorgeous photos and videos, and with an integrated 2x Telephoto, it is like having two cameras in one, so users can zoom in with optical quality. When outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features — including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite — help iPhone 16e users stay connected and get assistance when it matters most.1

    iPhone 16e will be available in two elegant matte finishes — black and white — with colorful cases available to accessorize. Pre-orders begin Friday, February 21, with availability beginning Friday, February 28.

    “iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “We’re so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people.”

    A Beautiful and Durable Design with Breakthrough Battery Life

    iPhone 16e is built to last, featuring splash, water, and dust resistance with a rating of IP68; the Ceramic Shield front cover with an advanced formulation that is tougher than any smartphone glass; and the toughest back glass in a smartphone.2 The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology has an edge-to-edge design that is perfect for watching HDR videos, playing games, and reading crisp text.3 iPhone 16e has the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone, lasting up to six hours longer than iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than all generations of iPhone SE.4 And with Face ID enabled by the TrueDepth camera system, users can securely unlock their iPhone, authenticate purchases, sign in to apps, and more. iPhone 16e also offers convenient charging options, including both wireless charging and USB-C for easy connection to a wide range of accessories.

    Performance and Connectivity

    iPhone 16e is powered by Apple’s latest-generation A18 chip, which enables fast, smooth performance, incredible power efficiency, and Apple Intelligence. The 6-core CPU is up to 80 percent faster than the A13 Bionic chip on iPhone 11, handling both everyday and intensive tasks with ease — from simple workloads, to more demanding actions with Apple Intelligence. The 4-core GPU powers stunning graphics performance and unlocks next-level mobile gaming on the go, enabling graphically demanding AAA titles and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more realistic lighting and reflections. The 16-core Neural Engine is optimized for large generative models and runs machine learning (ML) models up to 6x faster than A13 Bionic.

    Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity. Apple silicon — including C1 — the all-new internal design, and the advanced power management of iOS 18 all contribute to extraordinary battery life.

    Built for Apple Intelligence

    iPhone 16e is built for Apple Intelligence, unlocking exciting new capabilities that make iPhone even more helpful and powerful. With the Clean Up tool, it’s easy to remove distracting elements in images, and natural language search in the Photos app allows users to search for just about any photo or video by simply describing what they are looking for.

    Users can also explore creative new ways to express themselves visually with Image Playground, create the perfect emoji with Genmoj, and make their writing even more dynamic with Writing Tools. They can now type to Siri, and Siri is more conversational with the ability to follow along if users stumble over their words. Siri can also maintain context from one request to the next. With extensive product knowledge, Siri can answer thousands of questions about the features and settings of Apple products, so users can learn how to do things like take a screen recording or schedule a text message to send later.

    With access to ChatGPT seamlessly integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, users can choose to access ChatGPT’s expertise without jumping between applications, so they can get things done faster and easier than ever before. In addition, users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in — their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won’t store requests. Users can choose whether to enable ChatGPT integration, and are in full control of when to use it and what information is shared with ChatGPT.

    Apple Intelligence marks an extraordinary step forward for privacy in AI and is designed to protect users’ privacy at every step. It starts with on-device processing, meaning that many of the models that power Apple Inteligence run entirely on device. For requests that require access to larger models, Apple’s groundbreaking Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of iPhone into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence. When using Private Cloud Compute, users’ data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill their request.

    Access Favorite Features and Unlock Visual Intelligence with the Action Button

    iPhone 16e features the Action button, allowing users to easily access a variety of functions with just a press. Once customized in Settings, the Action button can be used to quickly open the camera or flashlight; switch between Ring and Silent modes; recognize music with Shazam; activate Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, and accessibility features like Magnifier; or use Shortcuts for more options. The Action button can even access in-app functionality like launching the camera in Snapchat, unlocking a car door with FordPass, tracking a child’s sleep schedule with Napper, and more.

    The Action button on iPhone 16e also unlocks a new visual intelligence experience that builds on Apple Intelligence to help users learn about objects and places. Visual intelligence can summarize and copy text, translate text between languages, detect phone numbers or email addresses with the option to add to contacts, identify an animal or plant, and more. Visual intelligence also allows users to search Google so they can see where they can buy an item, or benefit from ChatGPT’s problem-solving skills. Users are in control of when third-party tools are used and what information is shared.

    A Powerful Camera System to Capture Any Moment

    The powerful 2-in-1 camera system on iPhone 16e is perfect for capturing everyday moments and important memories, including in Night mode and Portrait mode. Using computational photography, the 48MP Fusion camera takes super-high-resolution photos, so users can capture gorgeous images that balance light and detail. With an integrated 2x Telephoto, users have the equivalent of two cameras in one, and can zoom in with optical quality to get closer to the subject and easily frame their shot. And the front-facing TrueDepth camera with autofocus enables sharper close-ups and beautiful group selfies. The latest generation of HDR captures subjects and the background with true-to-life renderings of skin tones, while ensuring photos have bright highlights, rich mid-tones, and deep shadows.

    iPhone 16e takes stunning videos with the ability to record in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, and users can stop and restart a recording for more flexibility when capturing the moment. iPhone 16e also records video in Spatial Audio for immersive listening with AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, or a surround sound system, and enables more ways to edit video sound with Audio Mix. Users can adjust their sound after capture to focus on the voice of the person on camera, make it sound like the video was recorded inside a professional studio, or position vocal tracks in the front and environmental noises in surround sound. With wind noise reduction, powerful ML algorithms automatically reduce unwanted noise for better audio quality.

    Groundbreaking Safety and Communication Capabilities

    iPhone 16e helps users stay connected and get assistance when it matters most. Apple’s satellite features help users text via satellite when they’re outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. This includes Messages via satellite to text friends and family; Emergency SOS via satellite to connect with emergency services; and Roadside Assistance via satellite to reach a roadside assistance provider in case of car trouble. Users can also use the Find My app to share their location via satellite, reassuring friends and family of their whereabouts while traveling off the grid. Crash Detection on iPhone 16e can detect a severe car crash and automatically dial emergency services if a user is unconscious or unable to reach their iPhone.5

    Featuring iOS 18

    iOS 18 makes iPhone 16e more personal, capable, and intelligent than ever.6 With more customization options, users can give apps and widgets a new dark or tinted look and arrange them in any open space on the Home Screen. The controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen can be customized; Control Center has been redesigned to provide users with easier access to many of the things they use every day, including third-party apps; and new privacy protections include the ability to lock and hide apps to protect sensitive apps and the information inside them. iOS 18 also provides powerful updates for staying connected. In Messages, users can use text effects to bring words, phrases, sentences, and more to life. Tapbacks expand to include emoji, Genmoji, or stickers, and now users can schedule a message to send later. When messaging contacts who do not have an Apple device, the Messages app now supports RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging when compared to SMS and MMS.

    Better for the Environment

    iPhone 16e is designed with the environment in mind. As part of Apple 2030, the company’s ambitious goal to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade, Apple is transitioning to renewable electricity for its manufacturing, and investing in wind and solar projects around the world to address the electricity used to charge all Apple products, including iPhone 16e. Today, all Apple facilities run on 100 percent renewable electricity — including the data centers that power Apple Intelligence.

    To achieve Apple 2030, the company is designing products with more recycled and renewable materials, which further drives down the carbon footprint. iPhone 16e features over 30 percent recycled content overall, including 100 percent recycled cobalt and 95 percent recycled lithium in the battery, 85 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure, and more.7 Additionally, the main logic board and back glass of iPhone 16e are designed to be manufactured more efficiently, reducing the amount of raw materials needed. The packaging is also entirely fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal of removing plastic from its packaging by the end of this year.8

    Pricing and Availability

    • iPhone 16e will be available in white and black in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.
    • Apple offers great ways to save and upgrade to the latest iPhone. With Apple Trade In, customers can get up to $120 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 11, or up to $170 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 12. With a carrier offer, customers can get up to $400 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 11, or up to $599 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 12 to put toward an iPhone 16e. Customers can take advantage of these offers by visiting the Apple Store online or an Apple Store location. For carrier offer eligibility requirements and more details, see apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/carrier-offers. To see what their device is worth and for Apple Trade In terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.
    • Customers in 59 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S., will be able to pre-order iPhone 16e beginning at 5 a.m. PST on Friday, February 21, with availability beginning Friday, February 28.
    • Apple Intelligence is available in localized English for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the U.S. Additional languages — including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (simplified), English (Singapore), and English (India) — will be available in April, with more languages coming over the course of the year, including Vietnamese. Some features, applications, and services may not be available in all regions or all languages.
    • Visual intelligence is available in iOS 18.2 or later on all iPhone 16 models. For more information on visual intelligence, visit support.apple.com/guide/iphone.
    • iPhone 16e Silicone Case will be available in five colors for $39 (U.S.): winter blue, fuchsia, lake green, black, and white.
    • AppleCare+ for iPhone provides unparalleled service and support. This includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage, battery service coverage, and 24/7 support from the people who know iPhone best. For more information, visit apple.com/support/products/iphone.
    • iCloud+ plans start at just $0.99 (U.S.) per month and offer up to 12TB of additional storage to keep photos, videos, files, and more safe in the cloud and available across devices. An iCloud+ subscription gives access to premium features such as unlimited event creation in the new Apple Invites app, as well as Private Relay, Hide My Email, and custom email domains. With Family Sharing, users can share their subscription with five other family members at no extra cost.
    • Customers who purchase iPhone 16e may receive three free months of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+, with a new subscription. Offer and services availability varies by region. See apple.com/promo for details.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Apple’s satellite features are included for free for two years starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 14 or later. For Emergency SOS via satellite availability, visit support.apple.com/en-us/HT213426. Messages via satellite will be available in the U.S. and Canada in iOS 18 or later. SMS availability will depend on carrier. Carrier fees may apply. Users should check with their carrier for details. Roadside Assistance via satellite is currently available in the U.S. with AAA and Verizon Roadside Assistance, and in the UK with Green Flag. Participating roadside assistance providers may charge for services, and iPhone users who are not members can take advantage of their roadside assistance services on a pay-per-use basis. Apple’s satellite features were designed for use in open spaces with a clear line of sight to the sky. Performance may be impacted by obstructions such as trees or surrounding buildings.
    2. iPhone 16e is splash-, water-, and dust-resistant. It was tested under controlled laboratory conditions and has a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes). Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions. Resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone; refer to the user guide for cleaning and drying instructions. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty.
    3. The display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.06 inches diagonally. The actual viewable area is smaller.
    4. All battery claims depend on the cellular network, location, signal strength, feature configuration, usage, and many other factors; actual results will vary. The battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. Battery tests are conducted using specific iPhone units. See apple.com/batteries and apple.com/iphone/compare for more information.
    5. Crash Detection is designed for four-wheel passenger vehicle crashes with certain mass, G-force, and speed profiles consistent with severe, life-threatening crashes. It was designed for severe, life-threatening, high-impact front and rear, side-swipe, T-bone, and rollover crashes. Crash Detection is available worldwide on iPhone 14 or later, Apple Watch Series 8 or later, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra or later.
    6. Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. For more information on iOS 18, visit apple.com/ios/ios-18.
    7. All cobalt and lithium references use a mass balance allocation.
    8. Based on retail packaging as shipped by Apple. Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from calculations of plastic content and packaging weight.

    Press Contacts

    Blair Ranger

    Apple

    blair_ranger@apple.com

    Alex Kirschner

    Apple

    alexkirschner@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at aspartame artificial sweetener and insulin levels and blood vessel inflammation in mice

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    February 19, 2025

    A study published in Cell Metabolism looks at the artificial sweetener aspartame, insulin levels and blood inflammation in mice. 

    Prof Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine/Honorary Consultant, University of Glasgow, said:

    “This seems like worrying findings but of course, before it can taken seriously, the findings have to be replicated in man.  There is no good evidence from trials that exogenous insulin increases cardiovascular risks in people with prior cardiovascular disease AND in people with type 1, by improving glucose levels, exogenous insulin lowers many risks.  Whether excess pancreatic insulin occurs with aspartame in amounts regularly consumed occurs and then accelerates vascular risks in man is also not proven.  For now, I remain happy to take sweeteners and related diet beverages instead of sugar filled drinks as the former limits excess calorie intake.”

    Prof James Leiper, Director of Research, British Heart Foundation, said:

    “This study has revealed much more about the known potential risks of artificial sweeteners.  In these mice, a diet that included an artificially high level of aspartame did exacerbate the size and number of fatty plaques in their arteries.  The effect of these plaques was not measured here, but they are known to greatly increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

    “While it is important to note that these findings have not yet been seen in humans, the results highlight the importance of further research to determine whether these additions to our food, and their effect on insulin levels, are contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

    “These sweeteners are now found in many foods and drinks, and people are probably consuming more than they realise.  But this research is not a green light to have more sugar instead.  We all need to reduce our intake of the processed foods and beverages that contain high levels of fat, sugars, sweeteners and salt.  This is the best way of ensuring a healthy diet and a lowered risk of heart and circulatory disease.”

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University in Melbourne, said:

    “I have several concerns about this study.

    “The authors claim that the consumption of Aspartame by adults and children “often exceeds those levels recommended by the FDA” – this is extremely unlikely in my view.  The FDA-acceptable daily intake of Aspartame is 50 mg per kg of body weight per day.  I weigh 80 kg, so this means this means the FDA-based safe dose for me is 4000 mg (or 4 grams) of Aspartame per day, every day, for life.  Given a diet drink contains about 200 mg of Aspartame, I would have to drink the equivalent of 20 cans of diet soda a day to get this dose.  A child of 40 kg would have to drink 10 cans a day, every day.  Even then, the 50 mg/kg dose has a safety factor of 100 built-in.

    “The study design also has some issues.  The main one is that the authors used a particular type of lab mouse called an ApoE mouse, which is bred to be prone to heart disease.  They also fed it a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, which itself increases the risk of heart disease.  They also don’t seem to have measured how much of the Aspartame water the mice drank, or the Aspartame level in the blood, so it is unknown what the mice actually received.

    “To my mind, the authors’ admission that feeding mice that are already genetically susceptible to heart disease with a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet that is known to cause heart disease “diminishes clinical relevance” is somewhat of an understatement.

    “Contrary to the paper’s claims, it is quite well-established that Aspartame doesn’t stimulate glucose or insulin levels in humans [1, 2].

    “Aspartame is essentially just two common amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine) joined together.  In the gut, it is broken down to aspartic acid and phenylalanine.  There is no reason to think amino acids from Aspartame would be worse than those from any other source.

    “The authors would appear to think little work has been done on safety testing in Aspartame; this is just not true.  All food ingredients are rigorously tested and safety assessed before they are approved for use.  Aspartame is one of the most researched ingredients in the world.  It is just that a lot of the data is in safety assessments for regulatory approval, not the academic literature.

    “Finally, even if Aspartame did cause some increase in cardiovascular risk (which this study does not prove), then that risk would likely be very small compared to things like high fat/high sugar diets and lack of exercise, etc.

    “In short, I don’t think this study itself gives us more reason to worry about diet drinks or aspartame.”

    References

    1 Santos, N. C., de Araujo, L. M., De Luca Canto, G., Guerra, E. N. S., Coelho, M. S., Borin, M. de F. (2017). Metabolic effects of aspartame in adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 58(12), 2068-2081. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2017.1304358

    2 Stern S.B., Bleicher S.J., Flores A., Gombos G., Recitas D., Shu J. Administration of aspartame in non-insulin-dependent diabetics. (1976) Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health,. 2(2):429-39. https:// 10.1080/15287397609529444

    ‘Sweetener aspartame aggravates atherosclerosis through insulin-triggered inflammation’ by Weijie Wu et al. was published in Cell Metabolism at 16:00 UK time on Wednesday 19 February 2025. 

    DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2025.01.006

    Declared interests

    Prof Naveed Sattar: “Takes occasional diet drinks.

    Has consulted for several companies that make diabetes medicines but also contributed to several lifestyle trials.

    “For Novo Nordisk: have consulted for company in advisory boards but not on any of their weight loss drug trial committees; am on steering committee for ZEUS trial but this is not a weight loss trial product but anti-inflammatory.  Do not have any shares either for any product in health etc.

    “N.S. declares consulting fees and/or speaker honoraria from Abbott Laboratories, Afimmune, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Sanofi; and grant support paid to his university from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, and Roche Diagnostics.”

    Prof James Leiper: “No conflicts of interest to declare.”

    Prof Oliver Jones: “I have no conflicts of interest to declare.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Enters Main Construction Phase

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Nova Scotians are another step closer to a new, modern acute care tower with more beds and operating rooms and a larger emergency department at the QEII Halifax Infirmary, delivering more care, faster for generations.

    The next phase of construction will soon begin, with the government finalizing an agreement with Plenary PCL Health to build the tower. The new tower is expected to be fully complete and open to patients and providers in the fall of 2031.

    “This is an exciting milestone for the future of healthcare in our province. This is the largest healthcare infrastructure project ever undertaken in Atlantic Canada,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “It will ensure generations of Nova Scotians get the cutting-edge care they deserve, provide a modern workplace for the dedicated staff at the QEII, and help us attract and hire the healthcare staff we need.”

    The Province’s agreement with Plenary PCL Health includes construction of the 14-floor tower and its maintenance over 30 years, beginning at substantial completion in the fall of 2030. The project’s total cost between now and 2061 will be $7.4 billion.

    Enabling work to prepare the site for construction has been underway since last spring and the project is on schedule. In May, tower cranes will be erected and work on the foundation will begin.

    When complete, the new tower will add 216 beds, 16 operating rooms, a 48-bed intensive care unit and an emergency department that is nearly twice the size of the current one. It will also have state-of-the-art equipment, a satellite diagnostic imaging department in the emergency department, new and upgraded lab spaces and additional treatment spaces.

    Some health services now delivered at the QEII Victoria General site will move to new and renovated spaces at the Halifax Infirmary site when they open.

    The QEII Halifax Infirmary expansion is one element of More, Faster: The Action for Health Build, the government’s comprehensive plan for improving healthcare services for Nova Scotians.

    Developing modern healthcare infrastructure will help Nova Scotia become a magnet for health providers, provide the care Nova Scotians need and deserve, and cultivate excellence on the front lines, all of which are solutions under Action for Health.


    Quotes:

    “This is another transformative step forward for Nova Scotia Health. The QEII Halifax Infirmary’s new acute care tower will decrease wait times and improve access to care for all Nova Scotians.”
    — Karen Oldfield, interim President and CEO, Nova Scotia Health

    “The QEII Halifax Infirmary expansion will strengthen our healthcare system in many ways, including state-of-the-art, efficient new care spaces that better meet the needs of our staff and physicians. This new facility will enhance our physical capacity to provide care, while also equipping our teams with advanced tools and technology to deliver high-quality services to Nova Scotians.”
    — Dr. Christine Short, Senior Medical Director, QEII Healthcare Redevelopment, Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health

    “PCL Construction is excited to move forward with the next stage of the Halifax Infirmary expansion project. We remain dedicated to helping the Province build this new healthcare facility designed specifically to meet the needs of Nova Scotians. We’re looking forward to bringing the province’s vision for the project to life.”
    — Paul Knowles, Senior Vice-President and District Manager, PCL Construction

    “This project reflects our unwavering commitment at Build Nova Scotia to provide a top-quality healthcare facility that delivers value for money while prioritizing the well-being of the people it serves and the dedicated people who work there.”
    — David Benoit, President and CEO, Build Nova Scotia

    “We are proud to have reached this milestone on the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project, which will expand and modernize this healthcare facility and improve patient care. We’d like to thank our provincial partners for their dedication to this project, and we look forward to delivering a contemporary, welcoming space for patients, health professionals and visitors.”
    — Brian Budden, President and CEO, Plenary Americas


    Quick Facts:

    • work completed to date includes:
      • moving the main entrance to Summer Street
      • moving the emergency department driveway and parking to Bell Road
      • building a new, expanded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suite
      • demolishing the parkade on Robie Street
      • building a new parkade on Summer Street
      • doing preliminary site excavation and preparation and rock removal
    • the new tower’s foundation and concrete structure for the main floor are expected to be complete by the end of the year
    • Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians have provided input on the new facility’s design
    • through the More, Faster: Action for Health Build plan, construction of various healthcare projects are happening at the same time by breaking them into more manageable pieces

    Additional Resources:

    More information on the Halifax Infirmary expansion project is available at: https://buildns.ca/healthcare/hiep/

    More information on other healthcare infrastructure projects: https://buildns.ca/healthcare/more-faster-the-action-for-health-build/

    News release – Major Healthcare Expansion Includes More Services, More Locations: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2022/12/15/major-healthcare-expansion-includes-more-services-more-locations

    Action for Health: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/


    Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: CDPQ announces increase to previously announced sale of common shares of Intact Financial

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CDPQ today announced that it has increased the size of its previously announced sale of common shares of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC). Pursuant to the amended terms, CDPQ has agreed to sell 3,577,000 common shares, representing approximately 2.0% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Intact as of February 19, 2025.

    The common shares are being sold at a gross price of $278.60 per share, which has been underwritten by CIBC Capital Markets and National Bank Financial. CDPQ expects to receive gross cash proceeds of approximately $996,552,200 from the offering.

    ABOUT CDPQ
    At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at June 30, 2024, CDPQ’s net assets totalled CAD 452 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages, or follow us on X.

    CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries. 

    ABOUT INTACT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) is the largest provider of Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance in Canada, a leading Specialty lines insurer with international expertise and a leader in Commercial lines in the UK and Ireland. The business has grown organically and through acquisitions to almost $24 billion of total annual operating direct premiums written (DPW).
    In Canada, Intact distributes insurance under the Intact Insurance brand through agencies and a wide network of brokers, including its whollyowned subsidiary BrokerLink. Intact also distributes directly to consumers through the belairdirect brand and affinity partnerships. Additionally, Intact provides exclusive and tailored offerings to high-net-worth customers through Intact Prestige. In the US, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions provides a range of Specialty insurance products and services through independent agencies, regional and national brokers, wholesalers and managing general agencies. Across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, Intact provides Personal, Commercial and/or Specialty insurance solutions through the RSA, 123.ie, NIG and FarmWeb brands.

    For more information
    MEDIA RELATIONS TEAM
    CDPQ
    + 1 514 847-5493
    medias@cdpq.com

    Caroline Audet
    Manager, Media Relations and Public Affairs, Intact Financial
    Intact Financial Corporation
    416 227-7905/514 985-7165
    media@intact.net

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: On the Polytechnic’s birthday, the exhibition “Laboratory and Museum of Mineralogy and Geology” opened

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On February 19, the Polytechnic University turned 126 years old, and on the university’s birthday, the Polytechnicians received a wonderful gift: a new exhibition of the SPbPU History Museum, “The Laboratory and Museum of Mineralogy and Geology,” opened in the Chemical Building.

    In 1902, one of the first four departments of the Polytechnic Institute was metallurgy. And each department at that time had its own museum. The laboratory and museum of mineralogy were located on the first floor of the Chemical Pavilion. The total area of the premises was 639 m². The laboratory was equipped with modern devices and instruments, there was a special library, which contained reference books and publications on metallurgy and metallography.

    The museum showcases included a systematic collection of minerals arranged according to the Dana system; a collection of physical properties of minerals consisting of 200 samples; 400 samples of rocks; a collection of general features of rocks consisting of 150 samples; a collection of dynamic geology consisting of 200 samples; a collection of historical geology consisting of 750 samples; and 150 samples of ore-forming minerals.

    Today, on the initiative of the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy, the director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Anatoly Popovich and with the financial support of VTB Bank, the historical exhibition has been restored almost in full and supplemented with new exhibits.

    “In honor of the Polytechnic University’s birthday, we had to give a gift to all of us – and we did, we restored the Mineralogy Museum,” Andrey Rudskoy said at the grand opening ceremony. “Here we will see the beauty and harmony of the world created by God, the study of which helped us, students of the metallurgical faculty, to become professionals and achieve a lot in life.”

    “It is a great honor to be involved in such an event,” added Yuri Levchenko, Senior Vice President of VTB Bank and Polytechnic graduate. “I once took exams in this auditorium, so the restoration of the museum is my personal history, as is the history of the entire Chemical Building and the entire Polytechnic Institute.”

    After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the director of the SPbPU History Museum, Valery Klimov, conducted the first tour of the new exhibition.

    “We restored historical display cases and minerals collected from all over the world – from Brazil, North America, Australia, New Zealand. And I put this quartz found in the Urals separately,” said Valery Yuryevich. “The museum also has modern technologies, for example, on this screen you can read more about the minerals and leaf through a very interesting reprint of the 1914 book “Metallurgical Department”, which describes in detail everything that happened in our beloved chemical house.”

    In addition to the reprint, the exhibition also features the original paper inventory book of the chemical house metallurgical laboratory, in which records were kept from 1902 to 1937; they are well preserved. The museum premises are also decorated with the original portrait of Dmitry Mendeleyev, painted by the artist Drozdov in 1914, and portraits of famous polytechnic metallurgists, founders of scientific and pedagogical schools in the field of metal science and metallurgy.

    The museum contains many interesting exhibits, including a world map made from minerals, a historic sink for washing test tubes, and a variety of laboratory equipment and instruments. For example, a glass research chamber; a direct current voltmeter and a Hartmann pointer galvanometer pyrometer N. S. Kurnakov, created in 1904 at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute according to the design of the head of the Department of General Chemistry from 1902 to 1930 Nikolai Kurnakov. This is the only copy in the world.

    Another gift for the 126th anniversary of the Polytechnic University was the opening of an auditorium named after Academician I. V. Gorynin, a graduate of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, in the Chemical Building. The auditorium was opened by the rector of SPbPU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy and the scientific director of the I. V. Gorynin Central Research Institute of Structural Materials “Prometheus” of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexey Oryshchenko.

    “For me, Igor Vasilyevich Gorynin was a summit that was scary to approach, but he treated me, his student, like a father, and this obliged me to do a lot,” Andrei Ivanovich shared. “We remember, love and respect Igor Vasilyevich, he always was, is and will be a great polytechnician, a great metallurgist.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: 360 Broadband Secures $52M Grant to Expand Internet Access in Fannin County, Texas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEONARD, Texas, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Internet service provider 360 Broadband will expand and upgrade internet access in Fannin County, Texas, with the help of a $52 million award from the Texas Broadband Development Office’s Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) II Program.

    The grant will fund part of a $65 million project to bring high-speed fiber internet service to the region, transforming connectivity for residents, businesses, and community institutions. In total, the buildout will improve internet speeds and reliability for 12,000 locations, with 4,355 funded by the grant and the remainder by 360 Broadband. The project is already underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, creating good local jobs in the process.

    “This is a pivotal moment for Fannin County,” said Kris McElroy, CEO of 360 Broadband. “Reliable, high-speed internet isn’t just a convenience — it’s necessary for education, business, healthcare, and overall quality of life. We’re honored to lead this effort.”

    “Our mission has always been to connect under-served communities in our area, and this will allow us to take that commitment even further,” commented Drew Beverage, COO of 360 Broadband. “We’re not just laying fiber; we’re laying the foundation for long-term growth and quality of life in Fannin County.”

    The BOOT II Program, spearheaded by the Texas Comptroller’s office, aims to bridge the digital divide by funding projects that deliver reliable, high-speed broadband to underserved areas.

    About 360 Broadband: For more information about 360 Broadband and its services, visit 360broadband.com. The 360 Broadband Texas Office is located at 607 N US Highway 69, Leonard, TX 75452.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Benjamin Bennett, benjamin.bennett@360broadband.com, 855-328-5099

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Gevo to Report Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results on March 6, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today that it will host a conference call on March 6, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. MT) to report its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    To participate in the live call, please register through the following event weblink:
    https://register.vevent.com/register/BIfe02700a31384d12946e60bf35964cb8

    After registering, participants will be provided with a dial-in number and pin.

    To listen to the conference call (audio only), please register through the following event weblink: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/h9wkbjf5

    A webcast replay will be available two hours after the conference call ends on March 6, 2025. The archived webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of Gevo’s website at www.gevo.com.

    About Gevo
    Gevo is a next-generation diversified energy company committed to fueling America’s future with cost-effective, drop-in fuels that contribute to energy security, abate carbon, and strengthen rural communities to drive economic growth. Gevo’s innovative technology can be used to make a variety of renewable products, including sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”), motor fuels, chemicals, and other materials that provide U.S.-made solutions. By investing in the backbone of rural America, Gevo’s business model includes developing, financing, and operating production facilities that create jobs and revitalize communities. Gevo owns and operates one of the largest dairy-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) facilities in the United States, turning by-products into clean, reliable energy. We also operate an ethanol plant with an adjacent carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”) facility, further solidifying America’s leadership in energy innovation. Additionally, Gevo owns the world’s first production facility for specialty alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) fuels and chemicals. Gevo’s market-driven “pay for performance” approach regarding carbon and other sustainability attributes, helps ensure value is delivered to our local economy. Through its Verity subsidiary, Gevo provides transparency, accountability, and efficiency in tracking, measuring and verifying various attributes throughout the supply chain. By strengthening rural economies, Gevo is working to secure a self-sufficient future and to make sure value is brought to the market.

    For more information, see www.gevo.com.

    PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT
    Heather Manuel
    VP of Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
    PR@gevo.com

    INVESTOR CONTACT
    Eric Frey, PhD
    VP of Corporate Development
    IR@gevo.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Locafy Limited Highlights Growth and Strategic Partnerships in Recent Investor Presentations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PERTH, Australia, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Locafy Limited (Nasdaq: LCFY, LCFYW) (“Locafy” or the “Company”), a globally recognized leader in location based digital marketing solutions, with market leading SEO capabilities, recently participated in two investor-focused presentations, highlighting its latest business developments and strategic initiatives.

    Breakout Investors Presentation with Fathom Holdings (NASDAQ: FTHM)
    Locafy CEO Gavin Burnett joined Breakout Investors alongside Fathom Holdings CEO Marco Fregenal to discuss their partnership, which is designed to enhance real estate professionals’ digital presence through advanced SEO solutions. The collaboration leverages Locafy’s proprietary Localizer technology to help real estate agents and brokerages improve their search engine rankings, attract more leads, and convert online visibility into business growth.

    During the presentation, Locafy and Fathom Holdings provided insights into how Locafy’s innovative SEO technology is supporting Fathom’s rapidly expanding network of real estate professionals. The discussion covered the integration of Locafy’s local SEO solutions into Fathom’s existing technology ecosystem, driving increased visibility and engagement for agents and clients.

    A recording of the presentation and further details are available on the Breakout Investors platform here.

    Locafy Featured on Planet MicroCap Podcast
    Locafy was also recently featured on the Planet MicroCap Podcast, hosted by Robert Kraft, where Burnett discussed the Company’s latest advancements and growth strategies.

    During the interview, Burnett provided insights into:

    • Locafy’s Competitive Edge: How its proprietary local SEO technology is helping businesses secure Page 1 Google rankings with minimal effort.
    • Growth Strategy & Market Expansion: The Company’s capital-efficient approach to scaling its operations and revenue.
    • Recent Partnerships & Industry Impact: Including the collaboration with Fathom Holdings to enhance the real estate sector’s digital presence.
    • AI & SEO Innovations: The increasing role of AI-driven search and how Locafy is positioning itself at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.

    The full podcast episode can be accessed here.

    Locafy will be attending the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 being held April 22-24, 2025 at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Investors interested in scheduling a one-on-one meeting with Locafy management can contact Locafy’s investor relations team at LCFY@gateway-grp.com.

    “We appreciate the opportunity to engage with the investment community and showcase how Locafy’s technology is driving real business impact,” said Burnett. “Our partnership with Fathom Holdings highlights the increasing demand for effective local SEO solutions in the real estate sector, and our conversation on Planet MicroCap allowed us to share how we’re positioning Locafy for sustained growth.”

    For more information about Locafy’s technology, including educational blogs and case studies, please visit Locafy’s investor relations website at investor.locafy.com.

    About Locafy
    Locafy (Nasdaq: LCFY, LCFYW) is a globally recognized software-as-a-service technology company specializing in local search engine marketing. Founded in 2009, Locafy’s mission is to revolutionize the US$700 billion SEO sector. We help businesses and brands increase search engine relevance and prominence in a specific proximity using a fast, easy, and automated approach. For more information, please visit www.locafy.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “subject to”, “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “can,” the negatives thereof, variations thereon and similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2024, as amended, and available on its website (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

    Investor Relations Contact
    Matt Glover
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    (949) 574-3860
    LCFY@gateway-grp.com 

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: ACT-ion announces Anthony Thurston as Chief Operating Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ACTion Battery Technologies, Inc. (“ACT-ion”) announced the appointment of Anthony Thurston as Chief Operating Officer. Thurston has decades of experience working with diverse cathode active materials (CAM) including multiple technical leadership positions at Tesla, BASF, and Apple. The move comes as the CAM innovator accelerates commercialization of its leading manufacturing process.

    Thurston joins ACT-ion from Tesla, where he spent five years leading Tesla’s Cathode Materials and Manufacturing operations globally, including the Austin Texas high nickel cathode Gigafactory. Prior to Tesla, Thurston held prominent Research and Development leadership roles at Apple and BASF.

    “Tony’s proven ability to translate cutting-edge battery technologies into high-volume production makes him the ideal leader for this phase of ACT-ion’s growth,” said Jin Lim, CTO and interim CEO of ACT-ion. “His experience with industry-leading CAM manufacturing lines at Tesla, BASF, and Apple will be invaluable as we prepare to bring our first pilot-scale CAM production line online in 2025.”

    In his new role, Thurston will oversee the buildout of ACT-ion’s pilot facility in Dallas, Texas — a critical step in validating the company’s continuous process technology with automotive and grid storage partners. The facility will demonstrate ACT-ion’s ability to produce chemistry-agnostic single crystal CAM at scale.

    “ACT-ion’s technology represents a fundamental manufacturing breakthrough,” Thurston said. “The potential to make domestic CAM production cost-competitive while improving battery cycle life aligns perfectly with the needs of next-generation EVs and renewable energy systems. I’m excited to help transform this innovation into a global industrial reality.”

    Thurston’s appointment follows three months after the company’s Pre-Series A round led by BASF Venture Capital, with participation from Hunt Energy Enterprises, Mirae Asset Capital, Arosa Capital Management, and LG Technology Ventures.

    About ACTion Battery Technologies, Inc.
    ACTion Battery Technologies, Inc. (“ACT-ion”) is a leading lithium battery cathode active material (CAM) technology company. As an advanced manufacturing technology company, ACT-ion produces coated single crystal CAMs for lithium batteries through its novel, clean, and chemistry-agnostic process that requires lower energy and cost. For more information, please visit www.act-ion.com.

    Media Contact:
    For more information, please contact ACT-ion Communications

    Email: inquiry@act-ion.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Lao People’s Democratic Republic Presents Credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    Daovy Vongxay, the new Permanent Representative of Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva, today presented his credentials to Tatiana Valovaya, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    Prior to his appointment to Geneva, Mr. Vongxay had been serving as Director-General of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao People’s Democratic Republic since 2021.  He also served as Deputy Director-General of the Department from December 2016 to June 2018. He served as Deputy Permanent Representative and Minister Counselor at the Permanent Mission of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the United Nations in New York from July 2018 to August 2021.  He also served at the Mission as Second and First Secretary from January 2011 to February 2014.

    Other posts Mr. Vongxay has held include Director of the United Nations Economic and Social Affairs Division at the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from March 2014 to November 2016; and Deputy Director of the Dialogue Partners Relations Division at the Department of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the Ministry from 2009 to 2010.  He was a desk official in various divisions of the Department starting October 1997.

    Mr. Vongxay has a Master of Science in International Cooperation Policy from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Oita, Japan (2006-2008); a post graduate diploma in translation and interpretation from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia (January-December 1999); and a bachelor of arts from the National University of Laos (1992-1997).  He was born on 2 September 1975 in Houaphan Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and is married with a daughter and a son.

    _________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CR.25.053E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ10: Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon David Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (February 19):Question:     The Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRCSP) has been implemented since 2016, under which participants will be arranged to undergo a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening. According to the information released by the Government in December last year, about 60 per cent of the colorectal cancer patients diagnosed under CRCSP were in earlier stages (i.e. stage I and stage II) of cancer, which was higher than the 40 per cent of those who were not diagnosed under CRCSP. On the other hand, according to the information on the website of the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, among all cancers, the incidence rate of colorectal cancer dropped from the first place in 2016 to the third place in 2022, and the age-standardised mortality rate of colorectal cancer also dropped from about 14.1 to 12.7 per 100 000 population during the same period, indicating that CRCSP is effective in detecting colorectal cancer at an earlier stage and in lowering the mortality rate. However, there are views that only early detection and removal of advanced adenoma can further minimise the incidence rate of colorectal cancer. In recent years, studies have found that although FIT has a high sensitivity and specificity for colorectal cancer, the sensitivity for advanced adenoma ranges from 25 per cent to 34 per cent only, which is lower than that of the newer multi-target stool DNA test (about 42 per cent) and faecal bacterial gene markers test (about 57 per cent). Moreover, the Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology and the Asian-Pacific Society for Digestive Endoscopy do not even recommend the use of FIT for screening of colorectal polyps. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it has plans to review CRCSP and consider adopting screening other than FIT for testing by participants; if so, of the relevant progress; if not, the reasons for that?Reply:President,     The reply, in consultation with the Department of Health (DH), to the question raised by Dr the Hon David Lam is as follows:     The Government attaches great importance to cancer prevention and control. In 2001, it established the Cancer Coordinating Committee (CCC) to formulate strategies for cancer prevention and control and to steer the direction of work covering cancer prevention and screening, surveillance, research and treatment. The CCC is chaired by the Secretary for Health and comprising members who are cancer experts, academics, doctors in public and private sectors as well as public health professionals. The Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening (CEWG) established under the CCC regularly reviews local and international scientific evidence and makes recommendations on cancer prevention and screening applicable to the local setting.     From the public health perspective, the Government must carefully assess various factors when formulating a cancer screening programme with reference to evidence-based advice from the relevant experts. These include the local prevalence of the cancer concerned, the accuracy and safety of the relevant screening tools, and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in reducing incidence and mortality rates. Meanwhile, a screening programme will lead the public and relevant medical specialties to change the demand and supply model of related medical services. The Government needs to carefully assess the impact of a screening programme on the current healthcare system to avoid a severe imbalance in the use of limited healthcare resources, with a view to ensuring the optimal use of the overall public health and healthcare resources.      Regarding screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), the CEWG recommends that average-risk (e.g. without hereditary bowel syndromes), asymptomatic individuals aged 50 to 75 should consider annual or biennial faecal occult blood test; or sigmoidoscopy every five years; or colonoscopy every 10 years.     Based on the CEWG recommendations, the Government launched the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (the Programme) in 2016, which currently subsidises asymptomatic Hong Kong residents aged between 50 and 75 to undergo screening tests every two years in the private sector. The programme adopts faecal immunochemical test (FIT) as the screening tool. If the FIT result is positive, the participant will be referred to an enrolled colonoscopy specialist to receive a colonoscopy examination subsidised by the Government. If the FIT result is negative, the participant is advised to undergo the screening two years later.      As of the end of 2024, the cumulative total number of eligible persons participated in the Programme was approximately 510 000. About 77 000 persons (15 per cent) had positive FIT results, about 40 000 persons (7.7 per cent) were diagnosed to have colorectal adenomas after colonoscopy examination, and about 3 400 persons (0.7 per cent) had CRC. In 2024, there were around 86 000 new participants in the Programme, a record annual high since its launch. Among the CRC cases diagnosed under the Programme, a preliminary analysis of around 2 400 cases has been conducted, and about 56 per cent of these cases were in earlier stages, while less than 40 per cent of CRC cases in the general population (excluding cases from the Programme) belonged to earlier stages. This demonstrates that participation in the Programme allows early detection and treatment of CRC, thereby leading to a more favourable prognosis.     Regarding the screening method, the Programme uses FIT as the primary screening tool, which is in line with practices of the CRC screening programmes of most overseas places (such as Singapore, the United Kingdom and Australia). The CEWG has reviewed the scientific evidence on other non-invasive tests for CRC screening such as stool DNA, RNA, “microbial marker” and blood DNA tests in 2023, including the Joint Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE)–Asian Pacific Society of Digestive Endoscopy (APSDE) clinical practice guidelines on the use of non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia published in 2023. Upon CEWG’s review, there was currently insufficient evidence on better effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in reducing CRC incidence and mortality by these newer non-invasive CRC screening tools. The CEWG therefore reaffirmed the recommendations on CRC screening. In general, the cost of FIT ranges from several dozens to several hundred dollars, while the service charge of other newer non-invasive CRC screening tests mentioned above could amount to several thousand dollars. The CEWG shall continue to keep in view further local and overseas scientific evidence and practice related to CRC screening.     Apart from participating in regular CRC screening, leading a healthy lifestyle is also important in the prevention of CRC. According to CEWG’s current recommendation on prevention of CRC, the public is advised to adopt healthy lifestyle such as increasing intake of dietary fibre, reducing consumption of red and processed meat, having regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight and waist circumference, avoiding drinking alcohol and smoking. The DH has long been promoting a healthy lifestyle as the primary strategy for cancer prevention. The DH makes every effort in stepping up public education related to cancers with a view to raising public awareness of cancer prevention and screening.      At the same time, the Primary Healthcare Commission is actively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan via District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses and family doctors. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated to address the health needs of citizens across different life stages with reference to the latest evidence. Family doctors and primary healthcare professionals will collaborate to provide health advice and education on chronic disease and cancer screening, and healthy lifestyles according to personal factors, such as recommending persons aged 50 or above to undergo CRC screening.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Diversified Energy Announces Proposed Offering of Ordinary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC; NYSE: DEC) (“Diversified” or the “Company“), an independent energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transportation, marketing and well retirement, today announces the launch of an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”) in the United States of up to 8,500,000 ordinary shares (the “Shares”).

    Citigroup and Mizuho are acting as joint book-running managers and underwriters for the proposed Offering.

    In addition, Diversified intends to grant the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 850,000 ordinary shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discount. The Offering is subject to market conditions and other factors, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the Offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the Offering.

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to repay a portion of the debt expected to be incurred by the Company in connection with the proposed acquisition of Maverick Natural Resources, LLC, as announced on January 27, 2025 (the “Acquisition”). In the event that the Acquisition does not close, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to repay debt and for general corporate purposes. The consummation of the Offering is not conditioned upon the completion of the Acquisition, and the completion of the Acquisition is not conditioned upon the consummation of the Offering.

    A shelf registration statement relating to these securities was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC“) on February 11, 2025 and became effective upon filing. Copies of the registration statement can be accessed through the SEC’s website free of charge at www.sec.gov. The Offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus in the United States. A preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus related to the Offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available free of charge by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus can also be obtained, when available, free of charge from either of the joint book-running managers for the Offering: Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (Tel: 800-831-9146); or Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets Desk, at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, or by email at US-ECM@mizuhogroup.com.

    This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy our ordinary shares nor shall there be any sale of securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

    CONTACTS

    Diversified Energy Company PLC +1 973 856 2757
    Doug Kris dkris@dgoc.com
    Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications  
       
    FTI Consulting dec@fticonsulting.com
    U.S. & UK Financial Media Relations  
       

    About Diversified

    Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our unique differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe”, “expects”, “targets”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “shall”, “risk”, “intends”, “estimates”, “aims”, “plans”, “predicts”, “continues”, “assumes”, “projects”, “positioned” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof, other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this announcement and include statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of management or the Company concerning, among other things, expectations regarding the proposed Offering of securities and the Acquisition. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and all of which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations about future events, including market conditions, failure of customary closing conditions and the risk factors and other matters set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

    Important Notice to UK and EU Investors

    This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on market abuse and the UK Version of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on market abuse, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (together, “MAR”). In addition, market soundings (as defined in MAR) were taken in respect of the matters contained in this announcement, with the result that certain persons became aware of such inside information as permitted by MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement, the inside information is now considered to be in the public domain and such persons shall therefore cease to be in possession of inside information in relation to the Company and its securities.

    Members of the public are not eligible to take part in the Offering. This announcement is directed at and is only being distributed to persons: (a) if in member states of the European Economic Area, “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation“) (“Qualified Investors“); or (b) if in the United Kingdom, “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK version of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, who are (i) persons who fall within the definition of “investment professionals” in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order“), or (ii) persons who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; or (c) persons to whom they may otherwise lawfully be communicated (each such person above, a “Relevant Person“). No other person should act or rely on this announcement and persons distributing this announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. This announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons, if in the United Kingdom, or Qualified Investors, if in a member state of the EEA. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement or the Offering relates is available only to Relevant Persons, if in the United Kingdom, and Qualified Investors, if in a member state of the EEA, and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons, if in the United Kingdom, and Qualified Investors, if in a member state of the EEA.

    No offering document or prospectus will be available in any jurisdiction in connection with the matters contained or referred to in this announcement in the United Kingdom and no such offering document or prospectus is required (in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation or UK Prospectus Regulation) to be published. The Company will publish a prospectus in connection with Admission as required under the UK Prospectus Regulation in due course.

    Neither the content of the Company’s website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company’s website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

    The Company has consulted with a number of existing shareholders and other investors ahead of the release of this announcement, including regarding the rationale for the offering. Consistent with each of its prior offerings, the Company will respect the principles of pre-emption, so far as is possible, through the allocation process, in the Offering.

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Organising Chairman of Australia-ASEAN Business Forum

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received Francis Wong, Organising Chairman of the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on strategies to enhance economic cooperation, facilitate trade and investment opportunities, and strengthen engagement between ASEAN and Australia, ahead of the upcoming Australia-ASEAN Business Forum, scheduled to be held in the second half of 2025 in Australia.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Organising Chairman of Australia-ASEAN Business Forum appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Global-e Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PETAH-TIKVA, Israel, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global-e Online Ltd. (Nasdaq: GLBE) the platform powering global direct-to-consumer e-commerce, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024 and full year 2024.

    “2024 was yet another record-breaking year for Global-e, and it came to a great close with a fourth quarter which was our strongest quarter ever, as we continued to execute on our strategy and further solidify Global-e’s leadership position in the global e-commerce space,” said Amir Schlachet, Founder and CEO of Global-e. “In addition, we achieved two important financial milestones during the quarter. For the first time in our journey, we crossed the 20% Adjusted EBITDA Margin mark, which was the long-term target we set for ourselves at the IPO, and we reached GAAP profitability for the first time as a public company; a testament to our relentless focus on delivering fast yet durable growth.”

    “As we head into 2025, we remain as committed as ever to continue on our growth path, deliver more cutting-edge and market-leading solutions to our merchants and seize more and more of the great opportunities that lie ahead of us in the world of global e-commerce. In 2025, we also expect to achieve three additional key financial milestones: surpass the 20% Adjusted EBITDA Margin mark on a full year basis, achieve annual GAAP profitability, and most importantly, for the first time, cross an annual run-rate of $1 billion in Revenues.”

    Q4 2024 Financial Results

    • GMV1 in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $1,713 million, an increase of 44% year over year
    • Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $262.9 million, an increase of 42% year over year, of which service fees revenue was $117.3 million and fulfillment services revenue was $145.6 million
    • Non-GAAP gross profit2 in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $120.9 million, an increase of 53% year over year. GAAP gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $118.7 million
    • Non-GAAP gross margin2 in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 46%, an increase of 330 basis points from 42.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023. GAAP gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 45.1%
    • Adjusted EBITDA3 in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $57.1 million compared to $35.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 62% year over year
    • Net profit in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $1.5 million
    • Net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $129.3 million, while capital expenditures totaled $0.5 million, leading to free cash flow of $128.8 million

    FY 2024 Financial Results

    • GMV1 for the full year was $4,858 million, an increase of 37% year over year
    • Revenue for the full year was $752.8 million, an increase of 32% year over year, of which service fees revenue was $350.3 million and fulfillment services revenue was $402.5 million
    • Non-GAAP gross profit2 for the full year was $349.4 million, an increase of 43% year over year. GAAP gross profit for the full year was $339.4 million
    • Non-GAAP gross margin2 for the full year was 46.4%, an increase of 350 basis points from 42.9% in 2023. GAAP gross margin for the full year was 45.1%
    • Adjusted EBITDA3 for the full year was $140.8 million compared to $92.7 million in 2023, an increase of 51.8% year over year
    • Net loss for the full year was $75.5 million
    • Net cash provided by operating activities in the full year was $169.4 million, while capital expenditures totaled $2.3 million, leading to free cash flow of $167.1 million

    Recent Business Highlights

    • Throughout 2024, our existing merchant base continued to stay and grow with us, as reflected in our annual enterprise NDR rate of 119% and GDR rate of 93.5%. GDR and NDR were negatively impacted by the out of the ordinary bankruptcy of Ted Baker and by several Borderfree merchants that chose not to re-platform to the Global-e platform. NDR and GDR excluding the out of the ordinary churn for 2024 is close to 123% and 97%, respectively
    • Recently launched with Logitech, one of the world’s largest and most innovative providers of computer peripherals and input devices, gaming accessories, audio and video gear and smart home device
    • On-boarded many additional new merchants located around the globe and trading in various verticals, including:
      • North America – shapewear brand Spanx, Thursday Boots, and the web store of famous fashion designer Tom Ford
      • UK and Europe – Spanish brand Tous, Italian fashion brand Slowear, UK footwear brand Phoebe Philo, German brand IvyOak, Swiss running gear brand Compressport, famous Austrian lingerie brand Triumph, French brands ZAPA and MOLLI, and the Finish brand HURTTA
      • APAC – Japanese brands Komehyo, one of Japan’s largest retailers of second-hand goods, Kyoto-based wristwatch brand Kuoe, novelty brands Mofusand and Taito, and the tailored shirt brand Kamakura Shirts, as well as the renowned Korean cosmetics brand Depology, and Australian fashion brands Zoe Kratzmann and SECONDLEFT
    • Expanded to new lanes with existing merchants – added Romania and Croatia to the markets we operate for Adidas, went live with a new outlet site for John Smedley, and added Strellson, the third brand to go live with us out of the Swiss Holy Fashion Group
    • Shopify Managed Markets – continued joint work with Shopify to add new features and functionalities to the Managed Markets offering, aimed at making it applicable to a wider range of merchants on the Shopify platform

    Q1 2025 and Full Year Outlook

    Global-e is introducing first quarter and full year guidance as follows:

        Q12025   FY 2025
        (in millions)
    GMV(1) $1,210 – $1,250   $6,190 – $6,490
    Revenue $184.5 – $191.5   $917 – $967
    Adjusted EBITDA(3) $29.5 – $33.5   $179 – $199

    1 Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) is a key operating metric. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Operating Metrics” for additional information regarding this metric.
    2 Non-GAAP Gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Operating Metrics” for additional information regarding this metric.
    3 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional information regarding this metric, including the reconciliations to Operating Profit (Loss), its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Operating Profit (Loss), its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort because items that impact this GAAP financial measure are not within the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. These items may include, but are not limited to, share-based compensation expenses. Such information may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable impact on the Company’s future financial results.

    Conference Call Information

    Global-e will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
    The call will be available, live, to interested parties by dialing:

    United States/Canada Toll Free:  1-800-717-1738
    International Toll: 1-646-307-1865

    A live webcast will also be available in the Investor Relations section of Global-e’s website at: https://investors.global-e.com/news-events/events-presentations

    Approximately two hours after completion of the live call, an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s web site and will remain available for approximately 30 calendar days.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Operating Metrics

    To supplement Global-e’s financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP, Global-e considers certain financial measures and key performance metrics that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP including:

    • Non-GAAP gross profit, which Global-e defines as gross profit adjusted for amortization of acquired intangibles. Non-GAAP gross margin is calculated as Non-GAAP gross profit divided by revenues
    • Adjusted EBITDA, which Global-e defines as operating profit (loss) adjusted for stock-based compensation expenses, depreciation and amortization, commercial agreements amortization, amortization of acquired intangibles and merger related contingent consideration.
    • Free cash flow, which Global-e defines as net cash provided by operating activities less purchase of property and equipment.

    Global-e also uses Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) as a key operating metric. Gross Merchandise Value or GMV is defined as the combined amount we collect from the shopper and the merchant for all components of a given transaction, including products, duties and taxes and shipping.

    The aforementioned key performance indicators and non-GAAP financial measures are used, in conjunction with GAAP measures, by management and our board of directors to assess our performance, including the preparation of Global-e’s annual operating budget and quarterly forecasts, for financial and operational decision-making, to evaluate the effectiveness of Global-e’s business strategies, and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. These measures are frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate measures of operating performance because they remove the impact of certain items that we believe do not directly reflect our core operations, and permit investors to view performance using the same tools that we use to budget, forecast, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate historical performance.

    Global-e’s definition of Non-GAAP measures may differ from the definition used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. In addition, other companies may not publish these metrics or similar metrics. Furthermore, these metrics have certain limitations in that they do not include the impact of certain expenses that are reflected in our consolidated statement of operations that are necessary to run our business. Thus, Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitutes for, or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the reconciliation tables provided below. The accompanying reconciliation tables have more details on the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures and the related reconciliations between these financial measures.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains estimates and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future strategy and projected revenue, GMV, Adjusted EBITDA and other future financial and operational results, growth strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, expansion in new and existing markets, the launch of large enterprise merchants, and our ongoing partnership with Shopify, are forward-looking statements. As the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Global-e believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this announcement, including but not limited to, our rapid growth and growth rates in recent periods may not be indicative of future growth; the ability to retain merchants or the GMV generated by such merchants; the ability to retain existing, and attract new merchants; our business acquisitions and ability to effectively integrate acquired businesses; our ability to anticipate merchant needs or develop or acquire new functionality or enhance our existing platforms to meet those needs; our ability to implement and use artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies successfully; our ability to compete in our industry; our reliance on third-parties, including our ability to realize the benefits of any strategic alliances, joint ventures, or partnership arrangements and to integrate our platforms with third-party platforms; our ability to develop or maintain the functionality of our platforms, including real or perceived errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or bugs in our platforms; our history of net losses; our ability to manage our growth and manage expansion into additional markets; increased attention to ESG matters and our ability to manage such matters; our ability to accommodate increased volumes during peak seasons and events; our ability to effectively expand our marketing and sales capabilities; our expectations regarding our revenue, expenses and operations; our ability to operate internationally; our reliance on third-party services, including third-party providers of cross-docking services and third-party data centers, in our platforms and services and harm to our reputation by our merchants’ or third-party service providers’ unethical business practices; our ability to adapt to changes in mobile devices, systems, applications, or web browsers that may degrade the functionality of our platforms; our operation as a merchant of record for sales conducted using our platform; regulatory requirements and additional fees related to payment transactions through our e-commerce platforms could be costly and difficult to comply with; compliance and third-party risks related to anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, anti-bribery, regulations, economic sanctions and export control laws and import regulations and restrictions; our business’s reliance on the personal importation model; our ability to securely store personal information of merchants and shoppers; increases in shipping rates; fluctuations in the exchange rate of foreign currencies has impacted and could continue to impact our results of operations; our ability to offer high quality support; our ability to expand the number of merchants using our platforms and increase our GMV and to enhance our reputation and awareness of our platforms; our dependency on the continued use of the internet for commerce; our ability to adapt to emerging or evolving regulatory developments, changing laws, regulations, standards and technological changes related to privacy, data protection, data security and machine learning technology and generative artificial intelligence evolves; the effect of the situation in Ukraine on our business, financial condition and results of operations; our role in the fulfilment chain of the merchants, which may cause third parties to confuse us with the merchants; our ability to establish and protect intellectual property rights; and our use of open-source software which may pose particular risks to our proprietary software technologies; our dependency on our executive officers and other key employees and our ability to hire and retain skilled key personnel, including our ability to enforce non-compete agreements we enter into with our employees; litigation for a variety of claims which we may be subject to; the adoption by merchants of a direct to consumer model; our anticipated cash needs and our estimates regarding our capital requirements and our needs for additional financing; our ability to maintain our corporate culture; our ability to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting; our ability to accurately estimate judgments relating to our critical accounting policies; changes in tax laws or regulations to which we are subject, including the enactment of legislation implementing changes in taxation of international business activities and the adoption of other corporate tax reform policies; requirements to collect sales or other taxes relating to the use of our platforms and services in jurisdictions where we have not historically done so; global events such as war, health pandemics, climate change, macroeconomic events and the recent economic slowdown; risks relating to our ordinary shares, including our share price, the concentration of our share ownership with insiders, our status as a foreign private issuer, provisions of Israeli law and our amended and restated articles of association and actions of activist shareholders; risks related to our incorporation and location in Israel, including risks related to the ongoing war and related hostilities; and the other risks and uncertainties described in Global-e’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024 and other documents filed with or furnished by Global-e from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.

    About Global-E Online Ltd.

    Global-e (Nasdaq: GLBE) is the world’s leading platform enabling and accelerating global, Direct-To-Consumer e-commerce. The chosen partner of over 1,000 brands and retailers across the United States, EMEA and APAC, Global-e makes selling internationally as simple as selling domestically. The company enables merchants to increase the conversion of international traffic into sales by offering online shoppers in over 200 destinations worldwide a seamless, localized shopping experience. Global-e’s end-to-end e-commerce solutions combine best-in-class localization capabilities, big-data best-practice business intelligence models, streamlined international logistics and vast global e-commerce experience, enabling international shoppers to buy seamlessly online and retailers to sell to, and from, anywhere in the world. For more information, please visit: www.global-e.com.

    Investor Contact:
    Erica Mannion or Mike Funari
    Sapphire Investor Relations, LLC
    IR@global-e.com 
    +1 617-542-6180

    Press Contact:
    Sarah Schloss
    Headline Media
    Globale@headline.media 
    +1 786-233-7684 

    Global-E Online Ltd.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)
     
        Period Ended  
        December 31,     December 31,  
        2023     2024  
              (Unaudited)  
    Assets                
    Current assets:                
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 200,081     $ 250,773  
    Short-term deposits     96,939       187,322  
    Accounts receivable, net     27,841       41,171  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     63,967       84,613  
    Marketable securities     20,403       36,345  
    Funds receivable, including cash in banks     111,232       122,984  
    Total current assets     520,463       723,208  
    Property and equipment, net     10,236       10,440  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     23,052       24,429  
    Long term deposits     3,552       3,786  
    Deferred contract acquisition costs, noncurrent     2,668       3,787  
    Other assets, noncurrent     4,078       4,527  
    Commercial agreement asset   192,721       66,527  
    Goodwill     367,566       367,566  
    Intangible assets     78,024       59,212  
    Total long-term assets     681,897       540,274  
    Total assets   $ 1,202,360     $ 1,263,482  
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                
    Current liabilities:                
    Accounts payable   $ 50,943     $ 79,559  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     107,306       141,551  
    Funds payable to Customers     111,232       122,984  
    Short term operating lease liabilities     4,031       4,347  
    Total current liabilities     273,512       348,441  
    Long-term liabilities:                
    Deferred tax liabilities     6,507       –  
    Long term operating lease liabilities     19,291       20,510  
    Other long-term liabilities     1,071       1,098  
    Total liabilities   $ 300,381     $ 370,049  
                     
    Shareholders’ deficit:                
    Share capital and additional paid-in capital     1,360,250       1,425,317  
    Accumulated comprehensive income     (1,420 )     515  
    Accumulated deficit     (456,851 )     (532,399 )
    Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity     901,979       893,433  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 1,202,360     $ 1,263,482  
    Global-E Online Ltd.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)
     
        Three Months Ended   Year Ended  
        December 31,   December 31,  
        2023     2024     2023       2024  
        (Unaudited)           (Unaudited)  
    Revenue   $ 185,401     $ 262,912     $ 569,946       $ 752,764  
    Cost of revenue     109,080       144,253       336,343         413,331  
    Gross profit     76,321       118,659       233,603         339,433  
                                     
    Operating expenses:                                
    Research and development     25,169       28,284       97,568         105,487  
    Sales and marketing     58,756       70,936       217,035         250,661  
    General and administrative     15,451       14,257       56,059         51,213  
    Total operating expenses, net     99,376       113,477       370,662         407,361  
    Operating profit (loss)     (23,055 )     5,182       (137,059 )       (67,928 )
    Financial expenses (income), net     (5,010 )     6,073       (5,262 )       11,465  
    Loss before income taxes     (18,045 )     (891 )     (131,797 )       (79,393 )
    Income tax (benefit) expenses     4,055       (2,400 )     2,008         (3,845 )
    Net profit (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders   $ (22,100 )   $ 1,509     $ (133,805 )     $ (75,548 )
    Net profit (loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic   $ (0.13 )   $ 0.01     $ (0.81 )     $ (0.45 )
    Net profit (loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, diluted   $ (0.13 )   $ 0.01     $ (0.81 )     $ (0.45 )
    Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic     165,626,904       168,419,800       164,353,909         167,323,350  
    Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, diluted     165,626,904       175,674,929       164,353,909         167,323,350  
    Global-E Online Ltd.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (In thousands)
        Three Months Ended     Year Ended
        December 31,     December 31,
        2023     2024     2023     2024  
        (Unaudited)             (Unaudited)  
    Operating activities                                
    Net profit (loss)   $ (22,100 )   $ 1,509     $ (133,805 )   $ (75,548 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net profit (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:                                
    Depreciation and amortization     489       547       1,788       2,131  
    Share-based compensation expenses     12,180       9,538       44,960       39,158  
    Commercial agreement asset     37,433       37,433       150,451       148,594  
    Amortization of intangible assets     5,091       4,402       20,434       18,812  
    Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign currency     (3,011 )     3,554       (1,901 )     4,468  
    Changes in accrued interest and exchange rate on short-term deposits     72       (1,373 )     (416 )     (1,329 )
    Changes in accrued interest and exchange rate on long-term deposits     (144 )     364       (255 )     200  
    Accounts receivable     (14,390 )     15,925       (11,417 )     (13,330 )
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     61       (24,164 )     (11,736 )     (18,019 )
    Funds receivable     (9,038 )     8,726       (11,074 )     (3,205 )
    Long-term receivables     (1,497 )     51       (339 )   551  
    Funds payable to customers     40,817       2,564       33,107       11,752  
    Operating lease ROU assets     786       991       3,230       3,691  
    Deferred contract acquisition costs     (772 )     (322 )     (1,207 )     (1,382 )
    Accounts payable     18,438       37,176       (1,277 )     28,617  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     25,345       35,945       30,625       34,272  
    Deferred taxes     3,635       (2,592 )     120       (6,507 )
    Operating lease liabilities     99       (987 )     (3,067 )     (3,533 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities     93,494       129,287       108,222       169,393  
    Investing activities                                
    Investment in marketable securities     (851 )     (18,331 )     (3,728 )     (21,128 )
    Proceeds from marketable securities   –     2,028         671       4,988  
    Investment in short-term deposits     (43,250 )     (77,848 )     (175,237 )     (269,601 )
    Proceeds from short-term deposits     34,318       22,298       125,068       180,548  
    Purchases of long-term investments     (4 )     (307 )     (82 )     (1,459 )
    Proceeds from long-term deposits     10       24       10       24  
    Purchases of property and equipment     (926 )     (482 )     (1,741)       (2,335 )
    Net cash used in investing activities     (10,703 )     (72,618 )     (55,039 )     (108,963 )
    Financing activities                                
    Proceeds from exercise of Warrants to ordinary shares     –     3       22     5  
    Proceeds from exercise of share options     244       1,632       1,969       3,271  
    Net cash provided by financing activities     244       1,635       1,991       3,276  
    Exchange rate differences on balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     3,011       (3,554 )     1,901       (4,468 )
    Net Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash     86,046       54,750       57,075       59,238  
    Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period     182,551       273,086       211,522       268,597  
    Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period   $ 268,597     $ 327,835     $ 268,597     $ 327,835  
    Global-E Online Ltd.
    SELECTED OTHER DATA
    (In thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
        December 31,     December 31,  
        2023     2024     2023     2024  
        (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
    Key performance metrics            
    Gross Merchandise Value     1,189,467               1,712,903               3,557,444               4,857,970          
    Adjusted EBITDA (a)     35,178               57,102               92,735               140,767          
                                                                     
    Revenue by Category                                                                
    Service fees     89,936       49 %     117,268       45 %     262,255       46 %     350,311       47 %
    Fulfillment services     95,465       51 %     145,644       55 %     307,692       54 %     402,453       53 %
    Total revenue   $ 185,401       100 %   $ 262,912       100 %   $ 569,946       100 %   $ 752,764       100 %
                                                                     
    Revenue by merchant outbound region                                                                
    United States     94,887       51 %     146,250       56 %     285,619       50 %     399,596       53 %
    United Kingdom     54,962       30 %     55,807       21 %     173,584       30 %     182,904       24 %
    European Union     29,421       16 %     44,469       17 %     92,566       16 %     125,547       17 %
    Israel     479       0 %     1,671       1 %     1,806       0 %     2,746       0 %
    Other   5,652     3 %     14,715       5 %   16,371     3 %     41,971       6 %
    Total revenue   $ 185,401       100 %   $ 262,912       100 %   $ 569,946       100 %   $ 752,764       100 %

    (a) See reconciliation to adjusted EBITDA table

    Global-E Online Ltd.
    RECONCILIATION TO Non-GAAP GROSS PROFIT
    (In thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
        December 31,     December 31,  
        2023     2024     2023     2024  
      (Unaudited)
    Gross Profit     76,321       118,659       233,603       339,433  
                                     
    Amortization of acquired intangibles included in cost of revenue     2,796       2,198       11,183       9,994  
    Non-GAAP gross profit     79,117       120,857       244,786       349,427  
    Global-E Online Ltd.
    RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
    (In thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
        December 31,     December 31,  
        2023     2024     2023     2024    
        (Unaudited)  
    Operating profit (loss)     (23,055 )     5,182       (137,059 )     (67,928 )  
    (1) Stock-based compensation:                                
    Cost of revenue     186       275       639       929    
    Research and development     6,962       4,153       26,266       17,291    
    Selling and marketing     1,238       1,528       4,259       5,836    
    General and administrative     3,794       3,582       13,796       15,102    
    Total stock-based compensation     12,180       9,538       44,960       39,158    
                                     
    (2) Depreciation and amortization     489       547       1,788       2,131    
                                     
    (3) Commercial agreement asset amortization   37,433       37,433     150,451       148,594    
                                 
    (4) Amortization of acquired intangibles   5,091       4,402     20,434       18,812    
                                 
    (5) Merger related contingent consideration   3,040       –     12,161       –    
                                 
    Adjusted EBITDA     35,178       57,102       92,735       140,767    
    Global-E Online Ltd.
    RECONCILIATION TO FREE CASH FLOW
    (In thousands)
        Three Months Ended   Year Ended
        December 31,   December 31,
        2023     2024     2023     2024  
      (Unaudited)
    Net cash provided by operating activities     93,434       129,287       108,222       169,393  
    Less:                          
    Purchase of property and equipment     (926 )     (482 )     (1,741 )     (2,335 )
    Free cash flow     92,508       128,805       106,481       167,058  

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Four-year ban for director of Sussex nuisance cold-calls firm 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The company made almost a million unsolicited cold-calls, resulting in people complaining to the Information Commissioner’s Office

    • Callum Jones was the director of a company which harassed people with nuisance cold-calls in 2019 and 2020 
    • Colourcoat Ltd, based on the south coast, made almost a million calls trying to sell home improvements within an eight-month period 
    • Jones has now been disqualified as a company director following investigations by the Insolvency Service 

    The boss of a home improvement company which made more than 900,000 cold-calls has been banned as a director for four years. 

    Callum Jones was the sole director of Sussex-based Colourcoat Ltd, which specialised in roof cleaning, wall coating and insulation services. 

    Colourcoat made 969,273 unsolicited marketing calls which connected between August 2019 and April 2020, with almost half to people who had opted out of receiving such calls. 

    The company also used false names and made repeated calls which were described by some customers as being aggressive and abusive. 

    Colourcoat was fined £130,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in 2021 but went into liquidation without paying the fine in full. 

    Jones, 39, of Oban Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, has now been disqualified as a company director following investigations by the Insolvency Service. 

    Victoria Edgar, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Callum Jones allowed his company to plague households over an eight-month period, making hundreds of thousands of nuisance cold-calls. 

    Businesses employing such unscrupulous tactics can expect enforcement action to be taken against them and Jones’s director ban now means he cannot run or manage any company for the next four years.

    A total of 452,811 of the nuisance calls were made to people who had opted out of receiving such calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Service. 

    Colourcoat also used various fake company names including “Homes Advice Bureau”, “EcoSolve UK” and “Citizens Advice”. 

    Twenty-four complaints about the company were made to the Telephone Preference Service with a further 10 directly to the ICO. 

    Andy Curry, Director of Enforcement and Investigations at the ICO, said:  

    We welcome the decision to disqualify Callum Jones as the director of Colourcoat Ltd.  

    Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable after simply answering the phone, and our investigation found that this company had no regard for the law, or the people they were illegally calling.  

    Our Financial Recovery Unit works closely with the Insolvency Service to bring companies and directors to account. By disrupting the non-compliant activities of directors such as Callum Jones, we can help ensure they can’t easily resurface under a different name and continue to cause further harm to people.

    The ICO issued an enforcement notice to Colourcoat in June 2021 for breaching regulations 21 and 24 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 relating to the use of calls for direct marketing purposes. 

    Colourcoat went into liquidation in June 2023, having only paid just more than £74,000 of its £130,000 fine. 

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Jones, and his ban started on Monday 3 February. 

    The undertaking prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.  

    Further information

    • Callum Jones is of Oban Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex. His date of birth is 2 January 1986 
    • Colourcoat Ltd (company number 10405998) 
    • Individuals subject to a disqualification order or undertaking are bound by a range of restrictions   
    • Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 19 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax™ ETFs Announces Distributions on CRSH (75.93%), TSLY (62.77%), YBIT (60.33%), YMAX (56.92%), YMAG (39.10%) and Others

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax™ today announced distributions for the YieldMax™ Weekly Payers and Group A ETFs listed in the table below.

    ETF Ticker1 ETF Name Distribution Frequency Distribution per share Distribution Rate2,4 30-Day
    SEC Yield3
    ROC5 Ex-Date & Record Date Payment Date
    QDTY* YieldMax™ Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly – – – – – –
    SDTY YieldMax™ S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.2221 – – 100.00% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    GPTY YieldMax™ AI & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.3258 – – 100.00% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    LFGY YieldMax™ Crypto Industry
    & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF
    Weekly $0.5739 – – 58.86% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    YMAX YieldMax™ Universe
    Fund of Option Income ETFs
    Weekly $0.1852 56.92% 77.11% 72.51% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    YMAG YieldMax™ Magnificent 7
    Fund of Option Income ETFs
    Weekly $0.1369 39.10% 56.75% 39.02% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    TSLY YieldMax™ TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5793 62.77% 3.18% 93.03% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    CRSH YieldMax™ Short TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3810 75.93% 4.07% 12.68% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    GOOY YieldMax™ GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3877 35.28% 3.33% 0.00% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    YBIT YieldMax™ Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5506 60.33% 1.36% 0.00% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    OARK YieldMax™ Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4269 50.34% 2.58% 93.84% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    XOMO YieldMax™ XOM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2541 22.58% 3.58% 0.00% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    SNOY YieldMax™ SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.9210 58.84% 2.58% 89.86% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    TSMY YieldMax™ TSM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6019 42.89% 3.12% 47.33% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    FEAT YieldMax™ Dorsey Wright Featured 5 Income ETF Every 4 weeks $1.9096 53.80% 102.37% 0.00% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    FIVY YieldMax™ Dorsey Wright Hybrid 5 Income ETF Every 4 weeks $1.1203 31.12% 55.88% 0.00% 2/20/25 2/21/25
    Weekly Payers & Group B ETFs scheduled for next week: QDTY SDTY GPTY LFGY YMAX YMAG NVDY DIPS FBY GDXY BABO JPMO MRNY PLTY MARO


    Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Performance current to the most recent month-end can be obtained by calling 
    (833) 378-0717.

    Note: DIPS, FIAT, CRSH and YQQQ are hereinafter referred to as the “Short ETFs”.

    Distributions are not guaranteed. The Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield are not indicative of future distributions, if any, on the ETFs. In particular, future distributions on any ETF may differ significantly from its Distribution Rate or 30-Day SEC Yield. You are not guaranteed a distribution under the ETFs. Distributions for the ETFs (if any) are variable and may vary significantly from period to period and may be zero. Accordingly, the Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield will change over time, and such change may be significant.

    Investors in the Funds will not have rights to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to the underlying reference asset(s).

    *The inception date for QDTY is February 12, 2025.

    1All YieldMax™ ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG, FEAT, FIVY and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX, YMAG and FEAT have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. FIVY has a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.59% for a gross expense ratio of 0.88%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax™ ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio of 1.24% but the investment adviser has agreed to a 0.10% fee waiver through at least February 28, 2025.

    2The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on February 18, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.

    3 The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended January 31, 2025, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period.

    4 Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.

    5ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage is the portion of the distribution that represents an investor’s original investment.

    Each Fund has a limited operating history and while each Fund’s objective is to provide current income, there is no guarantee the Fund will make a distribution. Distributions are likely to vary greatly in amount.

    Standardized Performance

    For YMAX, click here. For YMAG, click here. For TSLY, click here. For OARK, click here. For APLY, click here. For NVDY, click here. For AMZY, click here. For FBY, click here. For GOOY, click here. For NFLY, click here. For CONY, click here. For MSFO, click here. For DISO, click here. For XOMO, click here. For JPMO, click here. For AMDY, click here. For PYPY, click here. For SQY, click here. For MRNY, click here. For AIYY, click here. For MSTY, click here. For ULTY, click here. For YBIT, click here. For CRSH, click here. For GDXY, click here. For SNOY, click here. For ABNY, click here. For FIAT, click here. For DIPS, click here. For BABO, click here. For YQQQ, click here. For TSMY, click here. For SMCY, click here. For PLTY, click here. For BIGY, click here. For SOXY, click here. For MARO, click here. For FEAT, click here. For FIVY, click here. For LFGY, click here. For GPTY, click here. For CVNY, click here. For SDTY, click here. For QDTY, click here.

    Important Information

    This material must be preceded or accompanied by the prospectus. For all prospectuses, click here.

    Contact Gavin Filmore at gfilmore@tidalfg.com for more information.

    Tidal Financial Group is the adviser for all YieldMax™ ETFs.

    THE FUND, TRUST, AND ADVISER ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY UNDERLYING REFERENCE ASSET.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable to all YieldMax ETFs referenced above, except the Short ETFs)

    YMAX, YMAG, FEAT and FIVY generally invest in other YieldMax™ ETFs. As such, these two Funds are subject to the risks listed in this section, which apply to all the YieldMax™ ETFs they may hold from time to time.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Call Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s call writing strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in the positive price returns of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold call options and over longer periods.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings. A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of call option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in increases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Call Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security (ARKK, TSLA, AAPL, NVDA, AMZN, META, GOOGL, NFLX, COIN, MSFT, DIS, XOM, JPM, AMD, PYPL, SQ, MRNA, AI, MSTR, Bitcoin ETP, GDX®, SNOW, ABNB, BABA, TSM, SMCI, PLTR, MARA, CVNA), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Indirect Investment Risk. The Index is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

    Artificial Intelligence Risk. Issuers engaged in artificial intelligence typically have high research and capital expenditures and, as a result, their profitability can vary widely, if they are profitable at all. The space in which they are engaged is highly competitive and issuers’ products and services may become obsolete very quickly. These companies are heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. The issuers are also subject to legal, regulatory and political changes that may have a large impact on their profitability. A failure in an issuer’s product or even questions about the safety of the product could be devastating to the issuer, especially if it is the marquee product of the issuer. It can be difficult to accurately capture what qualifies as an artificial intelligence company.

    Technology Sector Risk. The Fund will invest substantially in companies in the information technology sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. Market or economic factors impacting technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s investments. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Information technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability.

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

    Digital Assets Risk: The Fund does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than the Fund. Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

    Currency Risk: Indirect exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Fund to the risk that currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates and the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad.

    Depositary Receipts Risk: The securities underlying BABO and TSMY are American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). Investment in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.

    Foreign Market and Trading Risk: The trading markets for many foreign securities are not as active as U.S. markets and may have less governmental regulation and oversight.

    Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in securities of U.S. issuers, such as risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability, as well as varying regulatory requirements applicable to investments in non-U.S. issuers. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may also be subject to different regulatory, accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

    Risk of Investing in Foreign Securities. The Fund is exposed indirectly to the securities of foreign issuers selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities.

    Risk of Investing in Gold and Silver Mining Companies. The Fund is exposed indirectly to gold and silver mining companies selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies.

    The Fund invests in options contracts based on the value of the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX®), which subjects the Fund to some of the same risks as if it owned GDX®, as well as the risks associated with Canadian, Australian and Emerging Market Issuers, and Small-and Medium-Capitalization companies.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

    YBIT does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than YBIT.

    Bitcoin Investment Risk: The Fund’s indirect investment in Bitcoin, through holdings in one or more Underlying ETPs, exposes it to the unique risks of this emerging innovation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile, and its market is influenced by the changing Bitcoin network, fluctuating acceptance levels, and unpredictable usage trends.

    Digital Assets Risk: Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility. Potentially No 1940 Act Protections. As of the date of this Prospectus, there is only a single eligible Underlying ETP, and it is an investment company subject to the 1940 Act.

    Bitcoin ETP Risk: The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Bitcoin ETP. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of the Bitcoin ETP, even though it does not. Bitcoin ETPs are subject, but not limited, to significant risk and heightened volatility. An investor in a Bitcoin ETP may lose their entire investment. Bitcoin ETPs are not suitable for all investors. In addition, not all Bitcoin ETPs are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Those Bitcoin ETPs that are not registered under such statute are therefore not subject to the same regulations as exchange traded products that are so registered.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Price Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the value of the underlying reference asset. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the underlying reference asset, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, the Fund is subject to the risk that the value of the underlying reference asset increases. If the value of the underlying reference asset increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses.

    Put Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s put writing (selling) strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in decreases in the value of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold put options and over longer periods.

    Purchased OTM Call Options Risk. The Fund’s strategy is subject to potential losses if the underlying reference asset increases in value, which may not be offset by the purchase of out-of-the-money (OTM) call options. The Fund purchases OTM calls to seek to manage (cap) the Fund’s potential losses from the Fund’s short exposure to the underlying reference asset if it appreciates significantly in value. However, the OTM call options will cap the Fund’s losses only to the extent that the value of the underlying reference asset increases to a level that is at or above the strike level of the purchased OTM call options. Any increase in the value of the underlying reference asset to a level that is below the strike level of the purchased OTM call options will result in a corresponding loss for the Fund. For example, if the OTM call options have a strike level that is approximately 100% above the then-current value of the underlying reference asset at the time of the call option purchase, and the value of the underlying reference asset increases by at least 100% during the term of the purchased OTM call options, the Fund will lose all its value. Since the Fund bears the costs of purchasing the OTM calls, such costs will decrease the Fund’s value and/or any income otherwise generated by the Fund’s investment strategy.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in decreases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Put Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, for any Fund that focuses on an individual security (e.g., TSLA, COIN, NVDA), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

    Index Overview. The Nasdaq 100 Index is a benchmark index that includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, based on market capitalization.

    Index Level Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the Index level. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the Index, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the Index level, the Fund is subject to the risk that the Index level increases. If the Index level increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses. The Fund may also be subject to the following risks: innovation and technological advancement; strong market presence of Index constituent companies; adaptability to global market trends; and resilience and recovery potential.

    Index Level Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will benefit from decreases in the Index level experienced over the Put Period. This means that if the Index level experiences a decrease in value below the strike level of the sold put options during a Put Period, the Fund will likely not experience that increase to the same extent and any Fund gains may significantly differ from the level of the Index losses over the Put Period. Additionally, because the Fund is limited in the degree to which it will participate in decreases in value experienced by the Index level over each Put Period, but has significant negative exposure to any increases in value experienced by the Index level over the Put Period, the NAV of the Fund may decrease over any given period. The Fund’s NAV is dependent on the value of each options portfolio, which is based principally upon the inverse of the performance of the Index level. The Fund’s ability to benefit from the Index level decreases will depend on prevailing market conditions, especially market volatility, at the time the Fund enters into the sold put option contracts and will vary from Put Period to Put Period. The value of the options contracts is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of component companies that comprise the Index, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the Index and the remaining time to the options’ expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market. As the Index level changes and time moves towards the expiration of each Put Period, the value of the options contracts, and therefore the Fund’s NAV, will change. However, it is not expected for the Fund’s NAV to directly inversely correlate on a day-to-day basis with the returns of the Index level. The amount of time remaining until the options contract’s expiration date affects the impact that the value of the options contracts has on the Fund’s NAV, which may not be in full effect until the expiration date of the Fund’s options contracts. Therefore, while changes in the Index level will result in changes to the Fund’s NAV, the Fund generally anticipates that the rate of change in the Fund’s NAV will be different than the inverse of the changes experienced by the Index level.

    YieldMax™ ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside is not affiliated with Tidal Financial Group, YieldMax™ ETFs.

    © 2025 YieldMax™ ETFs

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Make sure everyone has opportunity to watch ‘Ne Zha 2’ in Australia: cinema chain manager

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A manager of Australia’s major cinema chain Hoyts said on Tuesday that his company is trying to make sure everyone in the country who wants to see the Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2” has an opportunity to watch it.

    “We can see how big the demand is,” Louis Georg, film programmer and foreign content manager of Hoyts Group, which owns one of the largest cinema chains in Australia, told Xinhua.

    “And we’re doing what we can to adjust and make sure that everyone in Australia who wants to see this film has an opportunity to get to the cinema and watch it,” he said.

    For the past weekend in its debut, “Ne Zha 2” was screened in more than 90 cinemas across Australia and over 35 of them were Hoyts cinemas, Georg said, adding that it was “certainly a record for any Chinese release in history up to this point which is fantastic.”

    “And we’re screening the film ‘Ne Zha 2’ in cinemas that we’ve never previously shown Chinese films. And they’re selling out,” he said.

    Georg said Hoyts added nine more locations to screen the film on Monday.

    “Ne Zha 2” is the sequel to the 2019 animated blockbuster “Ne Zha.” Both films were inspired by the 16th-century Chinese mythological novel “The Investiture of the Gods.”

    “Ne Zha 2” has dethroned Disney’s 2024 picture “Inside Out 2” to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally. As of Tuesday evening, the film’s worldwide earnings, including presales, surpassed 12.32 billion yuan (about 1.72 billion U.S. dollars), according to data from Chinese ticketing platform Maoyan.

    In addition to actions and emotions, “Ne Zha 2” is also very humorous, and all of those together make a very engaging storyline, Georg said. “It’s certainly the type of film I’d be happy to see two or three more times…its success is not surprising.”

    “Ne Zha 2” shows the “shocking” and “incredible” progress Chinese animated films have made in recent years, the Australian cinema chain manager said.

    “It’s very clearly displayed when you see in ‘Ne Zha 2’ the details that are in the screen, the way they create this epic environment of the oceans and the world, the jade palace,” Georg said. “All of that stuff is so incredibly done in the animation.”

    “I’d like to mention it’s not just the advancements in the technology that’s so important. It’s the creativity. It’s the ingenuity. It’s the skill in storytelling in Chinese cinema that has actually progressed so much,” he said.

    “With all of those factors, both the technological advancements and also the improvements in skill of storytelling. I think that’s what creates such a bright future for Chinese animation films,” Georg said.

    “Ne Zha 2” took the third spot with 2.35 million Australian dollars (1.50 million U.S. dollars) in the Weekend Total Box Office from Thursday through Sunday, according to data from box office reporting company Numero on Monday.

    “Captain America: Brave New World” made it to the top spot, earning 5.31 million Australian dollars in its debut. “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” secured the second position with 4.45 million Australian dollars in opening weekend earnings.

    So far, “Ne Zha 2’s” audiences in Australia are still mainly from the Chinese diaspora, Georg said, adding that although many Westerners have long been interested in Chinese culture, there have not been many opportunities for Western audiences to be exposed to Chinese films.

    The promotion of “Ne Zha 2” in Australia has achieved some success and “we’re on the path to opening up these films to a wider audience,” he said.

    “Sometimes the quality of the film itself is the best marketing. So for these sorts of films, as the quality of these Chinese language films improves, the audiences will naturally grow and find these films,” Georg said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Media release: North West Shelf extension delay another regulatory fail – Australian Energy Producers

    Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

    Headline: Media release: North West Shelf extension delay another regulatory fail – Australian Energy Producers

    The Federal Government’s decision to delay its assessment of the North West Shelf extension is a blow to Western Australia’s energy security and another example of how our national environmental laws are failing.

    Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the North West Shelf project has been powering WA homes and industry for 40 years and will play a critical role in the state’s future energy security and economic prosperity.

    “After six years of environmental assessment and having secured state government approval, there is simply no justification for further regulatory delays,” Ms McCulloch said.

    “This is yet another example of the open-ended and uncertain approval processes that are driving away investment and damaging Australia’s reputation as a stable, predictable country to do business.

    “The extension of the North West Shelf project is needed to ensure reliable and affordable gas supply to Western Australians, with the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasting gas shortfalls in the State from 2030.”

    WA’s gas industry is a driving force behind the state’s economy, providing 54 per cent of WA’s primary energy and 60 per cent of the state’s electricity. The industry contributes $35 billion a year to the WA economy and supports more than 73,000 jobs in the state.

    Natural gas also provides more than half the energy used by WA’s mining and minerals processing sector and supports emissions reductions in WA and the region.

    A recent independent report by EnergyQuest found that without new gas investment, Western Australia would run out of gas for electricity from the early-2030s and its mining and industrial sectors would be left without gas from mid-2030s.

    “The Federal Government must provide certainty to the millions of WA households and businesses that depend on gas and rule out any further delays to this critical energy security project,” Ms McCulloch said.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Ne Zha 2’ crowned world’s highest-grossing animated film

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The record-breaking “Ne Zha 2” has now officially become the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

    A new poster to mark “Ne Zha 2” becoming the No. 1 animated film of all time. [Image courtesy of CMC Pictures]

    By Wednesday noon, the unstoppable Chinese animated sensation had grossed 12.42 billion yuan ($1.71 billion) worldwide according to Chinese box office tracker Maoyan Pro. This surpasses Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” which claimed the top spot in animation history in 2024 by grossing $1.69 billion, per Box Office Mojo statistics. 

    As a result, “Ne Zha 2” has become the highest-grossing animated film globally and the eighth-highest-grossing film of all time, regardless of animation or live-action. Notably, it stands as the only Chinese or Asian film in a club dominated by Hollywood cinematic juggernauts.

    This is just one of many impressive milestones the film has achieved since its debut on Jan. 29, the first day of the Chinese New Year. Its accomplishments include becoming the highest-grossing Chinese film ever, the highest-grossing film in a single market globally, the first film to surpass $1 billion in a single market, and the first non-Hollywood film to enter the coveted billion-dollar club. 

    “Thanks to the support of countless audiences, we have been able to achieve these miraculous accomplishments,” said Wang Jing, executive producer of “Ne Zha 2,” during an event promoting movie-themed tourism on Feb. 17 at the China National Film Museum in Beijing. “Rooted in Chinese culture, ‘Ne Zha 2’ reflects the spirit of constant innovation and striving to move upward, embodied by Chinese animators, filmmakers and audiences, showcasing the brilliance of Chinese culture to the world.”

    “Congratulations to director Jiaozi and all Chinese animators,” said fellow animator Wang Yunfei, president of Its Cartoon Animation Studio. “Animation is an art form that creates new worlds and new life, which is why I still love it after 25 years in the industry.” Wang told China.org.cn that he hopes Chinese animators will embrace the belief that the journey itself is invaluable at this historic moment. “If you do not climb high mountains, you will not know how high the sky is. Keep your passion alive and continue forging ahead,” he said.

    A still from “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Enlight Media]

    “Ne Zha 2” was developed over five years with a 4,000-strong team, featuring new characters, epic battle sequences and 1,900 special effects shots. In the film’s climactic battle, there are 200 million characters, showcasing wild imagination, a visual feast and immense workloads. The film involved the combined efforts of 138 Chinese animation and VFX companies, including teams that worked on previous animated hits and sci-fi blockbusters such as “Monkey King: Hero Is Back,” “Boonie Bears,” “Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification” and “The Wandering Earth.”

    On social media, many animators who worked on the movie have expressed their excitement and happiness about joining the project, while a few also shared how exhausting the creative process was and how much of a perfectionist director Jiaozi is, challenging them to push their limits. Chen Xuguang, director of the Institute of Film, Television and Theatre at Peking University, noted that the film showcases the collaborative power of China’s creative ecosystem and signals an upgrade in both the film industry and its aesthetic standards.

    Wang Shiyong, founder and CEO of Wuhan-based 2:10 Animation, and his team contributed to many visually spectacular scenes in “Ne Zha 2.” He expressed pride in the film’s achievements and emphasized its significance to the Chinese animation industry. “The film’s outstanding box office performance will attract more investment and talent to the animation industry, injecting strong vitality into its development,” he said.

    As this world-class film climbs the global top 10 box office chart, its achievements have already stunned both domestic and international audiences, as well as industry insiders, showcasing the prowess and potential of Chinese cinema, culture and its market. Maoyan Pro analysts have now revised their projection for its total earnings to 15.1 billion yuan, which would be enough to place the film at No. 5 on the all-time global box office chart.

    The film drew significant international attention and interest after it opened overseas last week in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The film earned $7.2 million in North America from Feb. 14 through Sunday, setting a record for the highest opening weekend for any Chinese-language film in the past 20 years. Despite showing in only 660 theaters, it ranked No. 5 on the weekend chart, competing with Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” which was shown in more than 4,000 theaters. In Australia, it secured third place with $1.5 million over the weekend.

    A new international poster to mark “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Enlight Media]

    Both overseas critics and audiences have expressed their enjoyment of the movie. For example, critic Simon Abrams from RogerEbert.com wrote that “Ne Zha 2” is a “rare sequel that amplifies both its action and drama” without sacrificing much of what worked in the first movie, adding: “It’s also a rare blockbuster that offers something worthwhile for a wide-ranging audience.” Another critic, Fred Topel from Deadline.com, called the Chinese blockbuster “visually engaging,” noting that, “The rendering of martial arts battles is as graceful as DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Kung Fu Panda’ series. The myriad creatures should appeal to international fans of fantasy epics like ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings.’” On Rotten Tomatoes, its audience score has reached 99%, and on IMDb, it has also received an impressive 8.4/10 based on more than 4,300 user ratings.

    Distributors announced on Tuesday that the film will be released in China’s Hong Kong and Macao on Feb. 22, with plans to roll out in various international territories later this year, including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Greece.

    Additionally, “Ne Zha 2” is generating a ripple effect beyond movie theaters, showcasing how its positive influence extends to culture, tourism, catering, merchandise and stock markets, further boosting China’s vibrant consumption and dynamic economy.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Steel yourselves for Dordaak Kepup

    Source: Government of Western Australia

    The highly anticipated Dordaak Kepup library youth innovation hub has achieved an exciting construction target, with completion of the steelwork and roof purling.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said it was fantastic to see the state-of-the-art facility come to life.

    “On completion, Dordaak Kepup will be home to a range of groundbreaking facilities and features that I can’t wait to throw open the doors and welcome our community” she said.   

    “There is truly something for everyone, from classic library elements, senior’s activities and early childhood offerings, to youth innovation elements including STEAM programs and podcasting capabilities.

    “Dordaak Kepup is the first of its kind for our City and we look forward to seeing it continue to take shape over the coming months.”

    For more information visit the project specific webpage wanneroo.wa.gov.au/dordaakkepup

    MIL OSI News –

    February 19, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: What is ‘double pneumonia’, the condition that’s put Pope Francis in hospital?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brian Oliver, Professor, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

    Marco Iaccobucci Epp/Shutterstock

    Pope Francis has been in hospital for more than a week with what some media reports are now calling “double pneumonia”.

    The Vatican released a statement on Tuesday evening saying

    laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture.

    The 88-year-old Catholic leader has a long history of respiratory illness.

    So, what makes this bout of pneumonia – a severe lung infection – so “complex”? And how will it be treated?

    What is double pneumonia?

    Pneumonia is a serious infection that fills the lungs with liquid or pus and can make it difficult to breathe. People may also have chest pain, cough up green mucus and have a fever.

    “Double pneumonia” is not an official medical term. It may be being used to describe two different aspects of Pope Francis’s condition.

    1. A bilateral infection

    Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs. This is known as “bilateral pneumonia”.

    An infection in both lungs doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more severe, but location is important. It can make a difference which parts of the lung are affected.

    When just one part of the lung or one lung is affected, the person can continue to breathe using the other lung while their body fights the infection.

    However when both lungs are compromised, the person will be receiving very little oxygen.

    2. A polymicrobial infection

    The Vatican has also said the infection affecting Pope Francis’s lungs is “polymicrobial”.

    This means the infection is being caused by more than one kind of microorganism (or “pathogen”).

    So, the cause could be two (or more) different kinds of bacteria, or any combination of bacteria, virus and fungus. It’s vital to know what’s causing the infection to effectively treat it.

    How is it diagnosed?

    Usually, when someone presents with suspected pneumonia the hospital will sample their lungs with a sputum test or swab.

    They will often also undergo an X-ray, usually to confirm which parts of the lung are involved.

    Healthy lungs look “empty” on an X-ray, because they are filled with air. But pneumonia fills the lungs with fluid.

    This means it’s usually very easy to see where pneumonia is affecting them, because the infection shows up as solid white mass on the scan.

    Lungs infected with pneumonia will have solid white areas on an X-ray.
    Komsan Loonprom/Shutterstock

    How is it treated?

    The sputum or swab helps detect what is causing the infection and determine treatment. For example, a specific antibiotic will be used to target a certain bacterium.

    Usually this works well. But if the infection is polymicrobial, the normal treatment might not be effective.

    For example, the antibiotics may work on the bacteria. But if there’s also a virus – which can’t be treated with antibiotics – it may become the dominant pathogen driving the infection.

    As a result, the patient may initially respond well to medication and then begin deteriorating again.

    If the infection is caused by multiple bacteria, the patient might be given a broad-spectrum antibiotic rather than a single targeted drug.

    A viral infection is harder to treat, as the anti-viral drugs that are available aren’t very effective or targeted.

    In severe cases, a patient will also need to be in intensive care on a breathing machine because they can’t breathe alone. This helps make sure they receive enough oxygen while their body fights the infection.

    Who is most susceptible?

    It’s possible to recover, even from severe infections. However having pneumonia can damage the lungs, and this can make a repeat infection more likely.

    Most people will never have a severe infection from these same pathogens. They may only experience a minor cold or flu, because their immune system can adequately fight the infection.

    However, certain groups are much more vulnerable to developing a serious case of pneumonia.

    Risk factors include:

    • age: babies under two, whose immune systems are still developing, and adults over 65, who tend to have weakened immune systems

    • lung damage: previous infections can cause scarring

    • lung disease: for example, if you have emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

    • being a smoker

    • immunosuppression: if your immune system is weakened, for example by medication you take after a transplant or during cancer treatment.

    Pope Francis has a number of these risk factors. The pontiff is 88 years old and has a history of respiratory illness.

    He also had pleurisy (a condition that inflames the lungs) as a young adult. As a result, he had part of one lung removed, making him susceptible to lung infections.

    On Tuesday, the Vatican said Pope Francis remains “in good spirits” while he receives medical care and is grateful for the support he has received.

    Brian Oliver receives funding from the NHMRC, and the ARC. He is affiliated with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, and the European Respiratory Society. He has given presentations on topics other than pneumonia at symposia organised by the pharmaceutical industry.

    Min Feng does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What is ‘double pneumonia’, the condition that’s put Pope Francis in hospital? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-double-pneumonia-the-condition-thats-put-pope-francis-in-hospital-250256

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: First festival to commence pill testing trial in NSW

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: First festival to commence pill testing trial in NSW

    Published: 19 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Health


    The Minns Labor Government has announced Yours and Owls Festival on 1 and 2 March will be the first music festival to participate in New South Wales pill testing trial.

    Illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW. The NSW Government reiterates that there will always be risks involved when consuming these substances and this announcement is not an endorsement of illicit drug use.

    However, the trial is designed to help people make safer choices by connecting them with qualified health staff who can provide harm reduction advice.

    The free and anonymous service allows festival goers to bring a small sample of substances they intend to consume to be analysed by qualified health staff to test for purity, potency and adulterants.  

    The pill testing service will be staffed by peer workers, health workers and analysts who will clearly communicate the limitations of drug checking to festival goers.

    People will never be advised that a drug is safe to use. They’ll be advised that all drug use carries risks, and that the only way to avoid this risk is to not consume drugs.

    Where needed, staff at the service can provide patrons with referral to health and welfare services available at the event or in the community.

    NSW Health and NSW Police are working closely with festival organisers and other stakeholders to ensure safe and effective implementation of the trial at these events.

    The trial will operate alongside other harm reduction and medical services at the participating festivals.

    The trial will run for 12 months and will be independently evaluated. The government is working with other festivals on their prospective participation.

    The trial comes after the Government’s Drug Summit concluded in early December. The Drug Summit co-chairs provided interim advice recommending a trial of music festival-based drug testing.

    Further information on the NSW Drug Checking trial can be found here.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “Let me be clear, no level of illicit drug use is safe and pill testing services do not provide a guarantee of safety. There will always be risks involved when consuming these substances.

    “However, this trial has been designed to provide people with the necessary information to make more informed decisions about drug use, with the goal of reducing drug-related harm and saving lives.

    “Illicit drug use remains illegal in NSW. These services will not be made available to suppliers and police will continue to target them.”

    Quotes attributable to Ben Tillman, Yours and Owls:

    “We enthusiastically welcome this move by the NSW Government. Pill testing is something we have been fighting for, for some time now.

    “While Yours and Owls maintains a zero-tolerance policy to illegal drugs, we are realists and see the abstinence-only approach as unhelpful. Pill Testing is not a panacea. However, it is a proven harm minimisation strategy that has been successfully implemented in many countries overseas for the past twenty or so years.

    “Ultimately, we ask individuals to take responsibility for themselves and their decision-making to ensure they have a great time safely.

    “We also encourage anyone who finds themselves or their mates in trouble to seek medical assistance immediately; there will be no judgment, you won’t get into trouble, patrons need to remember their safety and that of their mates is the most important thing.”

    MIL OSI News –

    February 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Explainer: New national and NSW hate crime laws

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    The Australian Government recently updated national hate crime laws and the NSW Government is proposing similar updates to NSW laws. This explainer is designed to help readers better understand these changes and the potential human rights implications. 

    New national hate crime laws  

    On Thursday 6 February 2025, the Federal Parliament passed the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2025 (Cth). The new laws are widely seen as a response to the recent surge in antisemitic violence in Australia. The bill amends the existing hate crime provisions in the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). Key changes include: 

    Expanded offences: It was already a serious criminal offence under federal law to urge force or violence against specific groups and members of those groups, including those distinguished by race, religion, or national origin. These new laws strengthen some existing offences within the Criminal Code. Sections 80.2A and 80.2B now criminalise ‘advocating’ force or violence against specific groups, members of those groups and their close associates, including those distinguished by sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status and disability. These offences no longer require an intention that the force or violence actually occurs. Instead, it is enough if a person is ‘reckless’ as to whether force or violence occurs. Existing offences prohibiting the display of Nazi symbols, the Nazi salute and terrorist organisation symbols have also been expanded to protect groups distinguished by the broader list of attributes. 

    New offences: The laws introduce a number of new offences, including threatening to use force or violence against protected groups, their members and close associates, and either advocating or threatening damage to, or destruction of, places of worship or property owned or occupied by members of a protected group or their close associates.  These offences protect groups distinguished by race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin or political opinion. The exception to this is the offence of advocating force or violence against a group through causing damage to property (which includes minor damage such as painting a slogan on a building) which only applies to groups distinguished by race, religion or ethnic origin. 

    Mandatory minimum sentences: The new laws increase the maximum penalties for the offences relating to the display of Nazi symbols, the Nazi salute and prohibited terrorist organisation symbols from one year to five years, and impose mandatory minimum sentences of 12 months’ imprisonment for these offences. They also impose mandatory minimum sentences for certain terrorism-related offences ranging from one to six years.  

    New NSW hate crime laws 

    The NSW Government is in the process of introducing tougher hate crime laws in response to the recent escalation of violent antisemitism in NSW. Key changes that were introduced into Parliament over the last 10 days include: 

    Expanded offences: The Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) currently contains an offence of displaying a Nazi symbol, by public act and without reasonable excuse. This offence is punishable by a maximum of 12 months’ imprisonment. Proposed amendments would introduce a new specific offence for displaying Nazi symbols on or near synagogues, Jewish schools and the Sydney Jewish Museum, with a maximum penalty of two years. The meaning of ‘public act’ for the offences of threatening or inciting violence and the offences of displaying Nazi symbols, which currently includes ‘writing’, would be expanded to also specifically include ‘graffiti’.  

    New offences: The amendments would introduce new offences for intentionally blocking a person from accessing or leaving places of worship without reasonable excuse, and for harassing, intimidating or threatening people accessing or leaving these places, with a maximum penalty of two years. The NSW Government has also introduced into Parliament new laws to create a new criminal offence for intentionally and publicly inciting racial hatred, with a proposed maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, fines of up to $11,000, or both, and with fines of $55,000 for corporations. 

    Expanded police powers: The proposed laws would empower police officers to issue move on directions for demonstrations and protests if they occur in or near a place of worship.  

    Aggravating circumstances: The amendments would expand the aggravating circumstances that apply to sentencing to include when an offence is partly, rather than just wholly, motivated by hatred or prejudice. Proposed amendments to the Graffiti Control Act 2008 (NSW) would also expand the circumstances of aggravation for graffiti offences where they relate to places of worship. An aggravated offence permits tougher sentencing by judges. 

    Background

    The narrow scope of these laws, which focus only on violence relating to race and religion, has been criticised, with it being suggested that they should be expanded to also protect (for example) other vulnerable groups such as LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability. 

    Last year, the NSW Law Reform Commission was tasked with reviewing s 93Z of the Crimes Act and report on its effectiveness in addressing serious racial and religious vilification in NSW. While their report acknowledged ‘the significant impact that hate-based conduct has on individuals, groups and our wider community’, it concluded that s 93Z should not be amended.

    Human rights implications 

    Both the federal laws and proposed NSW laws aim to address hate crimes, and have been introduced in response to the increase in incidents of racial hatred and violence seen recently in Australia, particularly antisemitism. The laws are intended to protect human rights by ensuring equality, non-discrimination and security of person, safeguarding individuals from targeted violence and intimidation. 

    At the same time, the laws raise a number of specific human rights concerns, notably in relation to freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and mandatory minimum sentencing. 

    Freedom of expression: Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that allows individuals to share their opinions and ideas without undue interference or censorship. While these laws aim to protect individuals from harm and uphold equality, they also raise concerns about where the boundary between harmful speech and legitimate expression should be drawn. Striking a balance between protecting free speech and preventing harm is a key challenge in implementing hate speech laws.  To the extent that the new laws criminalise advocating or threatening physical force or violence, they will be a legitimate restriction on freedom of expression. Proposals that go beyond this to, for example, criminalise the promotion of hatred, require careful scrutiny. Guidelines developed by the United Nations emphasise that the criminalisation of hate speech should be a last resort, and reserved for the most severe forms of incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence. The NSW Law Reform Commission recently expressed concern that terms like ‘hatred’ are imprecise and subjective, with this ambiguity making them ‘an inappropriate standard for the criminal law’.  

    The right to peaceful assembly: The right to peaceful assembly is critical in a democracy. While it can be restricted to ensure public safety and protect the rights and freedoms of others, any limits must be lawful, necessary and proportionate. The proposed laws are designed specifically to protect people exercising their freedom to worship, repeat language (such as ‘harass, intimidates or threaten’) already well known to the law and contain a number of exemptions, including for authorised public assemblies. However, the provisions also use language that is less precise and imposes substantially greater penalties than similar laws, as well as expanding police powers. The proposed NSW laws should be referred to a parliamentary committee to ensure an appropriate balance is struck between the different human rights that will be impacted. 

    Mandatory minimum sentencing: Mandatory minimum sentencing laws require courts to deliver a minimum penalty for particular offences. The Australian Human Rights Commission has consistently opposed mandatory sentencing laws because they undermine judicial independence and the ability of courts to ensure that the punishment fits the crime, as well as having an unfair impact on disadvantaged groups. The Commission maintains that courts are best placed to weigh up all the relevant circumstances and impose an appropriate penalty for criminal offences.

    ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897

    MIL OSI News –

    February 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: JACET CEM arrest southern district

    Source: South Australia Police

    Today, Wednesday 19 February, following an investigation Detectives from SA JACET, a joint taskforce between SA Police Public Protection Branch and the Australian Federal Police, arrested a 33-year-old southern suburbs man.

    It will be alleged that the accused engaged in conversation with a person to facilitate the sexual abuse of a child, where in fact he was having a conversation with an online undercover police officer operating on the internet.

    He was charged with two counts communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity and producing child exploitation material. A number electronic devices located at the house were seized as evidence.

    Detective Chief Inspector George Fenwick, Officer in Charge of Special Crimes Investigation Section, said; “The scale and severity of child sexual abuse committed online is appalling. My investigators must be unrelenting in the pursuit of offenders. Our message has not changed, individuals who choose to procure, access, produce or disseminate child exploitation material utilising electronic devices and the internet, will be found, arrested and prosecuted.

    If you think you are safe because you are using technology or anonymising technologies, think again, we will use all of our considerable specialist abilities to find you and place you before the courts.”

    Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or phone 1800 333 000 – you can remain anonymous.

    If you know of abuse that is happening right now or there is a child at risk call police immediately on 131444 or 000 in an emergency.

    CO2500007217

    MIL OSI News –

    February 19, 2025
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